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Brownson,  James  I. 
An  Address  commerative  of 
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AN    ADDRESS 


COMMEMORATIVE  OF   TUE 


LIFE   AND    CHARACTER 


Rev.    DAVID    ELLIOTT,    D.D.,  LL.  D., 

PROFESSOR    IN    THE    WESTERN    THEOLOGICAL    SEMINARY    AT    ALLEGHENY 

CITY,    PENN. 


DELIVERED  IN  THE 

Jfirst  Urtsbjitcnan  C|ui'tlj  of  ^Iltgljeiin, 

WEDNESDAY  EVENING,  APRIL  22.-/,  1874. 


BY 

JAMES    I.    BROWNSON,    D.D., 

OF  WASHINGTON,  PA. 


Delivered  and  Published  by  reqiiest  of  the  Professors  and  Directors  of 

the  Seminary. 


PITTSBURGH: 

ROBERT    S.  DAVIS    &    COMPANY, 

BOOKSELLERS   &  STATIONERS, 

175  Liberty  Street. 

1874. 


QIQ^U^ 


REV.  DAVID  ELLIOTT,  D.D.,  LL.D., 
Born  February  6th,  1787; 
Graduated  September  28TH,  1808; 
Licensed  September  26th,  181  i; 
Married  May  14TH,  1812; 
Pastor  at  Mercersburg,  1812-29; 
Pastor  at  Washington,  1829-36; 
Professor  at  Allegheny,  1836-74; 
Died  March  i8th,  1874. 


COMMEMORATIVE  ADDRESS. 


THE  call  of  the  excellent  professors  of  our 
Theological  Seminary  imposes  npon  me 
an  office  both  difficult  and  grateful.  My  ap- 
preciation of  the  eminent  servant  of  God,  whom 
we  are  to  commemorate,  founded  on  the  most 
intimate  acquaintance,  is  my  very  reason  for  a 
hesitation,  which  would  have  found  relief  in 
the  discharge  of  this  duty  by  some  other  and  abler 
representative  of  his  character  and  service.  At 
the  same  time,  I  must  claim  that  an  actual  son 
could  not  have  come  to  this  business  with  a 
more  filial  heart,  nor  with  better  opjDortunities 
for  its  execution,  I  shall  be  pardoned,  there- 
fore, if  I  speak  at  once  with  the  trembling 
which  veneration  inspires,  and  the  fervor  which 
love  inflames,  of  the  pastor  and  confidential 
friend  of  my  revered  parents ;  of  the  minister 
of  Christ,  who  baptized  me  in  infancy,  and,  more 
than  any  other,  guided  my  youth  and  manhood 
with  fatherly  counsel;  and  of  the  friend,  who, 
from  the  moment  of  ray  capabilit}",  took  me 
into  his  closest  fellowship,  even  to  the  shariDg 
of  the  secrets  of  his  heart.     But  I  must,  as  far 


6 

as  possible,  separate  myself  from  the  entangle- 
ments of  affection,  that  I  may  stand  in  the 
place  of  an  impartial  historian,  to  meet  the  de- 
mands of  a  cooler  public  judgment  concerning 
a  man  who,  favored  of  God  and  "  by  reason  of 
strength,"  passed  far  beyond  "  four-score  years ;" 
a  man  who,  through  the  average  of  two  gener- 
ations, was  an  honored  as  well  as  "  able  min- 
ister of  the  New  Testament,  not  of  the  letter, 
but  of  the  Sjjirit ;"  a  man  who,  besides  other 
hio'h  educational  trusts,  held  for  almost  four 
decades  of  years  a  position  in  the  Western 
Theological  Seminary,  at  once  vital  to  its  exist- 
ence, and  identified  with  its  achievements  and 
fame;  a  man  who,  in  all  these  years,  was  a 
trusted  leader  in  the  councils  of  the  church,  as 
well  as  an  expounder  and  defender  of  its  faith 
and  government;  a  man,  too,  who  by  represen- 
tation in  hundreds  of  ministers  of  the  Word,  in 
our  land  and  on  heathen  shores,  "  heing  dead^ 
yet  speahethJ''  In  every  view  thus  suggested,  I 
will  only  the  better  meet  the  requirements  of 
this  occasion,  if,  in  addition  to  public  sources 
of  information  and  the  largest  personal  knowl- 
edge, I  also  use  facts  derived  from  memoranda 
for  Ids  family^  in  his  own  handAvriting,  recorded 
at  my  suggestion,  made  more  than  twenty  years 
ago,  and  now,  explicitly  left  by  himself  to  my 
discretion. 


Dr.  Elliott  spent  his  whole  life  in  Pennsyl- 
vania.    His  grandfather,  Kobert  Elliott,  was  a 
Scotch-Irishman,  and  coming  to  this  country  in 
1737,  settled  on  a  farm  about  seven  miles  north 
of  Carlisle.     His  father,  Thomas  Elliott,  who 
was  at  that  time  about  seven  years  old,  after- 
wards, at  the  close  of  the  Indian  War,  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Sherman's  Valley,  now  Perry 
County,   and  was   also   married   to  Catherine, 
dauo-hter  of  William  Thomas,  of  York  County. 
Of  the  children  of  this  marriage,  two  lived  to 
old  age,   viz.,    Charles,  who  died  near  Piqua, 
Ohio,  in  1846,  in  his  seventy-seventh  year,  and 
Mary   (Mrs.   Andrew  Paterson),  who  died  at 
Mount  Gilead,  Ohio,  in   1854,  in  her  eighty- 
eighth     year.      Our    veneral)le    friend's    own 
mother,  Jane  Holliday,  of  the  same  race,  was 
born  in  1745,  and  was  first  married  to  a  relative 
of  her  own  name.     Coming  afterwards  to  this 
country,  they,  too,  settled  in  Sherman's  Valley. 
Mr.  Holliday  and  Mrs.  Elliott  both  died  soon 
afterwards,  and,  in  due  time,  the  families  were 
united  by  the  marriage  of  the  two  survivors. 
To  them,  as  the  fruit  of  this  union,  ^ve  children 
were    given,    viz.:.  Catherine,    Pobert    (after- 
wards and  long,  one  of  the  most  prominent 
and  respected   citizens  of  Central  Pennsylva- 
nia), Thomas,  David,  and  another,  who  died  in 
infancy.     David,   the   subject    of   our   present 


consideratioD,  was  born  at  the  Yalley  home, 
February  6th,  1787.  It  was  ever  afterwards 
his  delight  to  speak  of  the  affectionate  happi- 
ness of  that  home,  in  which  no  less  than  tliree 
sets  of  children  were  joined  without  jealousy 
or  strife.  They  all  manifested  a  warm  attach- 
ment for  himself.  Especially  was  he  a  favorite 
of  his  half-sister  Mary,  who  loved  and  cared 
for  him  like  as  a  mother. 

He  was  not  an  exception  to  the  providential 
law,  by  which  a  pious  and  faithful  mother's 
character  is  reflected  in  the  life  of  her  son. 
Such  a  mother  early  taught  him  to  repeat  his 
prayers,  as  well  as  catechetical  and  scripture 
questions,  and  also  gave  him  his  first  lessons  in 
spelling  and  reading.  From  the  age  of  six  years 
onward,  he  was  sent  to  such  schools  as  a  rural 
neighborhood,  in  those  uncultured  times,  afford- 
ed, his  teachers  being  successively  Isaac  Watts,, 
Thomas  Meldrum,  and  George  Williams.  In 
all  these  schools,  Dillworth's  Spelling-book,  the 
Bible,  and  Gough's  Arithmetic  were  the  stand- 
ard class-books.  Every  morning,  the  pupils 
were  required  to  rej^eat  one  or  more  answers  to 
the  questions  of  the  Westminster  Shorter  Cate- 
chism, and  on  each  Saturday,  to  recite  the 
whole.  Thus,  if  science  was  taught  only  in  its 
feeble  beginnings,  the  higher  truths  of  religion 
were  inculcated  in  the  most  perfect  uninspired 


9 

statements  ever  framed.     It  was  partly  due  to 
this  training   at   school,  but  still   more  to  the 
maternal  fidelity  which  set  apart  a  portion  of 
each    Sabbath  afternoon  to  religious  training 
at  home,  that  the  future  distinguished  Profes- 
sor  of  Theology,    ^' at    a   very    early   period," 
could  both  "  ask  and  answer  the  whole  of  the 
Shorter    Catechism,    without    the   aid   of    the 
book."     Who  can  tell  how  large  a  proportion 
of  the  sound  doctrinal  instruction,  now  enjoyed 
by  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  the  hands  of  her 
ministry,  is  to  be  traced  not  only  to  him,  but 
through  him  to  the  sainted  mother,  whose  high- 
est aim  for  her   son  was,  that  he  should    be 
grounded  in  the  truths  of    God's   word,   and 
sanctified  by  their  living  power  through  the 
Spirit  ? 

It  was  whilst  he  was  attending  the  second  of 
the  schools,  before  mentioned,  at  the  age  of  seven 
or  eight  years,  that  he  "  experienced  a  most  re- 
markable providential  deliverance  from  instant 
death,"  which  not  only  made  a  powerful  impres- 
sion upon  his  youthful  mind  of  the  sovereign 
goodness  of  God,  but,  through  his  whole  life,  was 
associated  with  his  grateful  memories  of  the 
unseen  hand  which,  as  he  never  doubted,  both 
led  and  covered  him.  Then,  and  long  after- 
wards, every  thought  of  it  brought  him  to 
tears,  in  remembrance  of  the  msrcy  which 
1* 


10 

snatched  liim  from  destruction.  The  incident 
will  be  clearest  in  his  own  language:  "The 
road  which  led  to  the  school,"  says  he,  "  passed 
through  a  grove  of  lofty  oak  timber.  One 
morning,  while  on  our  way  to  school,  a  heavy 
storm  of  wind  arose.  It  increased  in  violence, 
and  by  the  time  we  reached  the  grove,  it  blew 
a  perfect  hurricane.  As  we  proceeded  through 
the  timber,  the  lofty  tops  of  the  trees  bent  be- 
fore the  strong  blasts,  and  seemed  as  though 
they  would  be  torn  from  their  trunks.  During 
the  sudden  violence  of  one  of  the  gales  which 
swept  through  the  woods,  we  all  stopped  sud- 
denly, as  though  we  apprehended  danger. 
While  thus  stationary,  I  heard  a  crash  like  the 
breaking  of  timber.  But  such  was  the  noise 
produced  by  the  tenijDestuous  fury  of  the  wind, 
that  I  knew  not  whence  it  came,  nor  whether 
it  was  near  or  far  off.  At  this  moment,  and 
without  any  assignable  reason  for  doing  so,  I 
made  a  step  forward,  and  as  I  moved,  a  large 
limb  of  a  tree  six  or  eight  inches  in  diameter, 
and  of  great  weight,  j)assed  down  behind  me, 
brushing  my  shoulders  and  the  skirts  of  my  coat 
in  its  descent  to  the  earth.  Had  I  not  moved 
when  I  did,  at  that  very  moment,  it  would 
have  struck  me  directly  on  the  head  and  killed 
me  in  an  instant.  And  why  did  I  move  at  that 
very  moment?  ...  It   was   the  kind,  protect- 


11 

ing  band  of  that  God,  who  has  preserved  me 
'all  my  life  long  unto  this  day,'  that  impelled 
me  forward  and  kept  me  from  sudden  destruc- 
tion. '  Oh,  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for 
His  goodness,  and  for  His  wonderful  works  to 
the  children  of  men  ! '  " 

We  must  now  follow  our  ft'iend,  in  1802,  in 
the  sixteenth  year  of  his  age,  as  he  goes  forth 
with  his  mother's  parting  kiss,  blessing  and 
prayers,  to  a  classical  school  in  Tuscarora 
Valley,  Mifflin  County,  Pennsylvania,  twelve 
miles  distant  from  his  home.  That  school  was 
taught  by  the  Rev.  John  Coulter,  pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  that  place.  The  spe- 
cial influence  which  took  him  there  was  the 
residence  of  his  sister,  Mrs.  Patterson,  in  that 
neighborhood,  her  urgency  for  this  new  advan- 
tage, founded  on  his  great  facility  in  learning, 
and  her  srenerdus  offer  to  take  him  into  her 
ov/n  family.  It  required  close  study  to  over- 
take a  class  which  had  started  in  the  Latin 
Grammar  several  months  before,  but  this  lie 
easily  accomplished.  When  he  left  that  school 
in  the  sj)ring  of  1804,  for  another  in  the  town 
of  Mifflin,  he  "  had  read  as  far  as  Virgil  in 
Latin,  and  made  some  progress  in  the  Greek 
Testament."  His  new  teacher  was  Andrew  K. 
Russell,  afterwards  a  tutor  in  Washington 
College,  and  then  a  popular  teacher  and  preach- 


12 


er  in  Newark,  Delaware.     In  the  year  spent  at 
Mifflin,  be  finished  the  usual   course  in  Latin 
and    also    in    Greek,    except    Homer's    Iliad. 
Among  his  fellow- students  were  Alexander  A. 
Anderson,   afterwards    an    eminent   lawyer   of 
Lewistown,  Pennsylvania,  and  member  of  the 
Legislature,  Joseph   Ard,  who  became  a  prom- 
inent  physican  of  the  same  place,  and  James 
Peacock,  a  leading  j^yolitician  and  journalist  for 
many  years  at  Harrisburg.     But  the  happiest 
of  all  the  influences  of  that  year  grew  out  of 
his  residence  in  the  family  of  the  Rev.  Matthew 
Brown,  then  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
of   Mifflin,   and   afterwards    the    distinguished 
President,   first   of  Washington    and   then    of 
Jefferson   College.      That  influence   restrained 
him  from  temptations  into  which  others  fell ; 
it  laid  the  foundation  of  a  life-long  friendship 
between   two    men    destined   to   Avield    great 
power  in  moulding  society,  education,  and  the 
church  in  Western  Pennsylvania ;  and  it  was 
the  first  link  in  a  chain  of  events  which  largely 
shaj)ed  his  future  life. 

A  new  and  wider  sphere  now  opens  to 
view,  as  we  follow  the  student  of  the  Academy, 
shortly  after  the  completion  of  his  eighteenth 
year,  into  the  responsibilities  of  a  teacher.  In 
the  spring  of  1805,  the  Be  v.  Matthew^  Brown 
received  an  invitation  to  become  at  once  the 


13 

■first   pastor   of  the    Presbyterian    Cluircli    of 
Washington,   Pennsylvania,    and    Principcil    of 
tlie   Academy  at   that   place.     His   first  step, 
after  accepting  the  call,  was  to  secure  his  young 
friend    as   assistant   instructor.     This   arrange- 
ment continued  for  one  year,  with  great  accept- 
ance and  benefit  both  to  the  community  and  the 
pupils.     Among  the  latter  were  some  not  un- 
known to  fame  in  subsequent  life.     The  Hon. 
Thomas  M.  T.  McKennan,  of  national  reputa- 
tion ;  the  Hon.  Thomas  Cunningham,  of  Mercer, 
long  distinguished  in  the  legislature  of  Penn- 
sylvania ;  the  Rev.  Andrew  Wylie,  D.D.,  Presi- 
dent  of  Jefferson   and   Washington   Colleges, 
and  of  the  University  of  Indiana,  and  George 
and   William    Baird,    Esquires,    were    of    the 
number.     By  agreement  the  school,  which  was 
held  in  the  central  building  of  what  is  now  the 
old  college,  then  standing  alone,  was  conducted 
one  half  of  each  week  by  the  principal,  and  the 
other  half  by  the  assistant.     Thus  Mr.  Brown 
had  time  for  his  pastoral  duties,  and  Mr.  Elliott 
for  his  preparation  to  enter  the  junior  class  of 
Dickenson   College,   at  the   close  of   the  year. 
The   latter   object   was   accomplished,    though 
with   serious    consequences    to    the    student's 
health.     He  read  very  carefully  four  books  of 
the  Iliad,  taking  extensive  notes,  and  also  stud- 
ied Morse's   Geography,    in  two  large  octavo 


14 

volumes,  just  published,  and  pursued  other 
collateral  studies  besides.  The  number  and 
variety  of  the  classes  in  the  acadeni}^,  the  ad- 
vancement of  some  of  the  students  almost  to 
his  own  progress,  and  his  ambition  of  success 
imposed  great  labor,  both  in  preparation  and 
instruction.  The  result  of  the  confinement  and 
stress  of  mind,  without  due  bodily  exercise, 
was  a  physical  prostration  as  inconvenient  as 
it  was  unexpected,  to  the  recurrence  of  which 
he  w^as  lial^le  for  the  rest  of  life,  under  spe- 
cial labor  or  exposure.  Apprehending  the 
danger  too  late  for  his  own  benefit,  he  was  ever 
afterwards  vigilant  to  guard  students  under 
his  care  from  the  same  injurious  mistake.  He 
left  Washington  in  April,  1806,  for  his 
home,  having  formed  many  friendships,  and 
having  with  delight  witnessed,  during  the 
previous  month,  the  success  of  an  effort  led 
by  Mr.  Brown  and  Parker  Campbell,  Esq.,  the 
most  prominent  member  of  the  Washington 
bar,  to  secure  a  charter  from  the  legislature, 
elevating  the  academy  into  Washington  Col- 
lege. 

His  journey  homew^ard  on  horseback,  owing 
to  changes  of  weather  for  Avhich  he  had  not 
provided,  brought  on  sickness  and  debility 
which  hindered  his  entrance  into  colleixe  until 
January  of  the  next  year.     But  this  was  the 


15 

most  profitable  interval  of  his  life,  as  it  was  the 
crisis  of  his  spiritual  birth.  While  at  Wash- 
ington, his  conscience  had  been  transiently 
aroused  under  the  "  silver-tongued  "  appeals  of 
Mr.  Marquis,  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  great 
revival  just  then  passing  away.  Now,  in  sick- 
ness and  depression  of  mind,  he  felt  the  Lord's 
hand  and  heard  his  voice.  A  deep  conviction 
of  his  lost  and  sinful  state  without  Christ  v/as 
fastened  upon  his  soul,  by  an  influence  more 
than  human.  His  own  efforts  to  obtain  an 
interest  in  the  great  atonement  by  means  of 
reading,  reflection  and  prayer  were  unavailing. 
At  length,  after  three  months  of  conflict  and  of 
concealment,  he  suddenly  came  into  the  mar- 
velous light  of  God.  "  While  lying  on  my 
bed,"  says  his  private  record,  "  engaged  in  deep 
and  anxious  meditation  on  the  character  and 
sufferings  of  Christ,  he  seemed  to  be  present  to 
my  mind  with  great  distinctness,  as  though  I 
saw  him  with  my  bodily  eyes.  At  the  same 
moment  I  exjoerienced  relief  from  the  burden 
which  had  pressed  so  heavily  upon  my  mind. 
The  clouds  and  darkness  were  gone,  and  all 
was  light  and  peace,"  The  transformation  was 
a  wonder  to  himself.  As  he  walked  abroad  he 
could  now  "  see  God  in  everything."  "  The 
bright  summer  clouds  and  the  azure  sky " 
seemed  to  "  declare  the  glory  of  God,"  and  to 


16 

"show  his  liandiwork."  "A  mild  glory  ap- 
peared in  all  things  "  about  him,  which  brought 
him  "  into  the  presence  of  God/'  and  made  him 
*'  desirous  to  be  there."  The  i:>leasing  attend- 
ants of  the  change  were  not  indeed  its  real 
evidences ;  but  these  he  did  find  in  new  views 
and  feelings  concerning  the  character  and  law 
of  God,  Christ  and  his  salvation,  sin,  duty,  and 
holiness.  One  error,  committed  at  this  time, 
and  continued  for  two  years,  was  ever  after- 
v/ards  a  matter  of  humble  confession  as  well  as 
of  keen  lamentation.  It  consisted  in  his  delay 
to  enter  into  the  fellowship  of  the  church  in  the 
observance  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  The  usual 
fear  of  dishonoring  a  Christian  profession  found 
a  concurrent  plea  in  the  inconvenience  of  leav- 
ing college  to  attend  communion  services  at 
home,  Avhere  he  preferred  to  make  his  confes- 
sion. But  his  own  experience  was  enough  to 
bring  the  realization  of  the  neglect  of  a  sacred 
duty,  and  also  of  a  great  spiritual  loss.  Cau- 
tious as  he  was  against  premature  membership 
in  the  church,  he  did  not  omit  ever  afterwards 
to  warn  young  converts  against  undue  delay, 
by  reference  to  his  own  case. 

Our  friend's  course  in  college  was,  to  use  his 
own  language,  a  continual  contest  with  bodily 
feebleness.  At  the  end  of  his  first  session,  the 
j)rostration  following  hard  study  induced  him 


17 

to  pack  liis  bookSj  determined  not  to  return. 
But  the  vacation  once  more  inspired  him  with 
hope.  Exercising  great  care,  he  was  enabled 
to  hold  such  a  position  in  his  class,  that  on 
his  graduation,  September  28th,  1808,  by  the 
unanimous  selection  of  his  classmates,  to  whom 
the  Faculty  left  the  distribution  of  honors,  he 
delivered  the  Valedictory.  The  President  of 
the  College,  at  that  time,  was  the  Rev.  Robert 
Davidson,  D.D.,  whose  excellence  as  a  scholar 
was  chiefly  in  the  department  of  Belles  Lettres, 
His  chief  associates  were  James  McCormick, 
who,  without  much  general  learning,  excelled 
in  his  own  department  of  Mathematics  and 
Natural  Philosophy,  and  the  Rev.  John  Hayes, 
Professor  of  Languages,  a  man  of  flue  attain- 
ments, a  poet,  and  a  Christian  of  eminent  piety, 
but  almost  totally  unacquainted  with  the  world 
in  which  he  lived.  The  other  members  of  the 
class  of  1808  were  Jas23er  Slaymaker,  after- 
wards a  relative  of  Mr.  Elliott  by  marriage, 
and  a  lawyer  of  some  prominence  and  great 
moral  worth  in  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  until 
his  death,  in  1827;  Henry  Shippen,  also  a  law- 
yer and  a  judge  in  the  north-western  part  of  our 
State ;  John  Williamson,  a  member  of  the  bar 
of  Potts ville ;  William  Boyd,  afterwards  pastor 
of  the  Spruce  Creek  Church,  in  the  Huntingdon 
Presbytery ;  and  John  Armor,  Samuel  Duncan, 


18 

and  John  Fisher,  all  of  whom  are  long  since  dead. 
James  II.  Miller  and  the  brothers  James  and 
Francis  Priugle,  received  their  degrees  at  the 
same  time,  but  did  not  belono-  to  the  class,  hav- 
ing  finished  the  course  at  the  end  of  the  previous 
session. 

Dr.  Elliott's  graduation  at  college  occurred 
four  years  before  the  establishment  of  the 
first  Theological  Seminary  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  Of  course,  he  lacked  the  benefit  of 
that  system  of  training  now  represented  in  such 
maturity  by  these  institutions.  Had  he  in  early 
life  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  these  times,  what 
he  would  have  become  in  special  and  varied 
scholarship  may  easily  be  inferred  from  what 
he  was,  under  the  limitations  of  his  own  period. 
His  actual  mastery  in  every  department  then 
02:>en  for  his  entrance,  would  certainly  have 
been  equaled  in  others  since  brought  with- 
in the  reach  of  theological  students.  That 
through  all  the  changes  and  enlargements  of 
the  last  half-century,  he  held  the  ascendancy  so 
universally  ascribed  to  him,  is  evidence  enough 
of  his  ability  and  professional  attainment. 

His  first  preceptor  in  theology  was  his  pastor, 
the  Kev.  John  Linn,  father  of  the  Rev.  James 
Linn,  D.D.,  so  long  the  excellent  pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Belief onte,  Pennsyl- 
vania.    He  had  as  a  fellow-student  James  Cul- 


19 

bertson,  afterwards  the  Rev.  Dr.  Culbertson  of 
Zaiiesville,  Ohio.  Here  he  spent  two  years  in 
careful  reaclino:  and  in  takino;  extensive  notes 
of  the  works  read,  as  well  as  in  writing  answers 
at  length  to  prescribed  questions.  His  last 
year  was  spent,  of  choice,  with  the  Rev.  Joshua 
Williams,  D.  D.,  of  Newville,  Pennsylvania. 
Dr.  Williams  stood  in  the  front  rank  of  the 
theologians  of  his  day,  in  talent,  attainment, 
discriminating  thought,  and  the  jDOwer  of  com- 
munication. His  chosen  method  of  instructing 
his  students  was  to  enlist  them  in  free  conver- 
sation, draw  forth  their  knowledge  of  text- 
books, discover  their  own  opinions,  and  pour 
forth  upon  their  minds  the  rich  streams  of  his 
own  knowledge .  The  result  was  not  only  large 
information,  but  a  great  quickening  of  mental 
power,  with  corresponding  facility  in  its  use. 
These  advantages  were  largely  enjoyed  and 
most  profitably  improved  during  that  year,  and 
the  student  held  the  preceptor  from  that  time 
forth  in  the  highest  esteem. 

We  are  now  prepared  to  enter  with  the  sub- 
ject of  our  present  thoughts  into  his  public  life. 
This  we  shall  consider  in  connection  with  some 
of  the  different  spheres  in  which  he  served  his 
generation.     First  in  order  comes 

HIS    MINISTEY    OF    THE    GOSPEL    AS    A    PASTOR. 

He  was  licensed  to  preach  as  a  probationer 


20 

hj  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  September  26th, 
1811.  Foregoing  his  own  preference  to  visit 
several  vacant  churches  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  he  v/as  induced  to  j)reach  several  times 
to  the  congregation  of  U2:)per  West  Conocoche- 
aque,  at  Mercersburg,  Franklin  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, a  church  of  his  mother  Presbytery, 
and  from  it  he  received  a  call  to  settle  as  pastor, 
dated  February  19,  1812.  This  large,  intelli- 
gent and  influential  church  had,  a  little  w^hile 
before,  been  left  vacant  by  the  resignation  of 
the  Rev.  John  King,  D.D.  That  eminent  man 
of  God  had  very  ably  filled  the  pastoral  office 
in  that  place  for  forty-two  years,  yielding  only 
to  the  infirmities  of  age,  some  two  years  before 
his  death.  His  large  acquirements,  both  theo- 
logical and  general,  had  been  laid  under  con- 
tribution in  the  instruction  of  many  candidates 
for  the  mmistiy,  of  all  whom  his  decided  favor- 
ite was  the  late  Dr.  Matthew  Brown.  His 
standing  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact,  that  in 
1792  he  was  the  fourth  Moderator  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly.  To  be  chosen  as  the  successor 
of  such  a  man,  was  no  mean  compliment  to  a 
licentiate.  But  never  was  a  retiring  pastor 
better  satisfied  with  the  selection  of  another  to 
wear  his  mantle. 

The  call  liaving  been  approved  by  the  Pres- 
bytery,   at    its    stated    meeting   in   April,    tbe 


21 

young  minister  at  once  entered  npon  his  labors, 
though  he  was  not  ordained  until  the  next 
meeting  in  October,  in  his  own  church.  Dr. 
John  McKnight  preached  the  sermon,  and  the 
Rev.  David  McConaughy,  of  Gettysburg,  after- 
wards his  intimate  friend  and  associate  at 
Washington,  presided  and  delivered  the  charges. 
In  the  meantime,  he  was  married.  May  14th, 
1812,  to  Ann,  daughter  of  Edward  West,  Esq., 
of  Landisburg,  Pennsylvania,  the  beloved,  beau- 
tiful, admired,  and  happy  companion  of  his  life 
ioY  fifty-eiglit  years.  The  Lord  S2:>ared  them  for 
mutual  comfort  through  their  whole  period  of 
activity,  and  only  separated  them  for  "  a  little 
while"  by  the  hand  of  death,  July  1st,  1870. 

The  congregation  at  that  time  embraced  one 
hundred  and  thirty-seven  families,  and  about 
three  hundred  communicants.  They  were  scat- 
tered over  a  territory  not  less  than  twelve  by 
six  miles.  The  preaching  services  were  held 
alternately  in  the  original  church  and  in  a  new 
church  in  the  town,  which  were  two  and  a  half 
miles  apart.  A  j)rompt  and  vigorous  system  of 
pastoral  visitation  was  at  once  joined  with 
energetic  public  ministration  of  the  word  and 
ordinances.  Family  worshij),  hitherto  neglected, 
was  pressed  as  a  duty.  Prejudices  among  the 
people,  arising  out  of  certain  cases  of  discipline 
under  the  previous  pastor,  soon  melted  away 


22 


before  the  impartiality  of  the  new  one,  who 
refused  even  to  listen  to  grievances  with  which 
he  had  no  connection.  The  result  of  clear,  sys- 
tematic, able,  and  faithful  preaching  soon  began 
to  appear  in  the  quickened  interest  and  edifica- 
tion of  the  people.  The  sound  judgment,  con- 
sistent life,  and  affectionate  interest  of  the 
young  pastor  soon  won  the  confidence  of  the 
old  and  young  alike  of  his  flock.  The  same 
vigilance  and  j)ower  of  organizing  forces,  which 
ripened  into  such  mastery  in  after  life,  appeared 
in  wise  plans  and  skillful  execution.  A  Sabbath- 
school  was  instituted,  among  the  earliest  in  the 
country,probably  about  the  year  1816.  Two  years 
later,  a  social  weekly  prayer-meeting,  not  less  a 
novelty  in  that  region,  was  established.  Separ- 
ate Bible-classes  of  males  and  females  were 
formed,  and  conducted  with  great  interest — the 
former  rising  to  the  number  of  seventy,  and 
the  latter  to  more  than  one  hundred  members 
A  like  zeal  organized  missionary  and  temperance 
associations,  as  these  came  into  use.  Nothing, 
indeed,  was  omitted  which  had  a  fit  place  in 
the  plans  of  a  faithful  pastor.  If  the  fruits 
were  not  as  sudden  and  striking  as  in  some 
cases,  they  were  not  the  less  sure.  A  large 
congregation  was  built  up  in  the  truth.  The 
surrounding  community  felt  a  new  moral  and 
religious    influence.      Converts   were    steadily 


23 

"  added  to  the  cburcL,  such  as  should  be  saved." 
And  one  powerful  work  of  grace,  at  least,  in 
1828,  preceded  by  a  monthly  meeting  of  the 
session  for  prayer  and  conference,  brought 
twenty -four  believers  into  the  ranks,  leaving 
countless  other  blessings  also  behind  it.  Nor 
were  the  young  pastor's  efforts  confined  to  his 
own  charge  or  neighborhood.  As  a  specimen 
of  many  public  movements,  the  Franklin  Coun- 
ty Bible  Society  may  be  cited,  which,  in  1815, 
originated  in  his  appeal  through  the  nev/spapers, 
was  carried  to  great  success  largely  through  his 
exertions,  and  had  the  honor  of  representation 
in  the  Convention  at  New  York,  in  1816,  which 
formed  the  American  Bible  Society. 

But  he  was  not  always  to  sail  uj)on  smooth 
seas.  For  a  period  of  eight  years  harmony 
and  prosperity  marked  the  happy  pastorate. 
The  congregation  increased  to  one  hundred  and 
seventy  families,  with  other  tokens  of  favor, 
including  the  enlargement  of  the  salary  twice 
without  solicitation.  A  temporary  decline 
which  followed  was  beyond  human  control. 
Besides  some  subtraction  of  strength  by  the 
formation  of  two  churches  on  the  borders,  the 
great  commercial  depression  which  followed 
the  war  of  1812  crippled  the  resources  of  the 
whole  community,  and  reduced  many  from 
affluence   to    bankruptcy.      But    more   serious 


24 

still  were  the  effects  of  an  epideraic  fever, 
whicli,  comineiicing  in  1820,  "made  the  whole 
neiglil>orhood  for  two  or  three  years  a  vast 
hospital,"  and  carried  large  numbers  to  the 
grave.  During  this  scourge,  the  faithful  shep- 
herd of  the  smitten  flock  employed  every  day 
of  the  secular  week  in  spiritual  and  other  min- 
istrations to  the  sick  and  dying,  even  against 
the  protest  of  his  physician,  who  predicted 
that  he  would  be  a  victim.  But  God  beheld 
his  faith  and  sheltered  him  from  harm.  By  a 
blessinof  from  the  same  source,  the  church 
emerged  from  the  clouds  of  affliction  and  adverse 
influence,  and,  when  he  left  it  in  1829,  was  in 
a  flourishing  state.  During  his  pastorate  he 
baptized  six  hundred  and  fifty-five  persons,  and 
there  were  received  into  the  communion,  on  pro- 
fession of  faith,  two  hundred  and  sixty-one,  be- 
sides many  on  certificate.  Twenty-five  more 
fauiilies  belonged  to  the  congregation  than  at 
the  beginning,  with  a  still  larger  proportionate 
increase  of  members.  There  are  still  living 
witnesses  of- this  ministry,  who  lament  with  us 
that  they  shall  "see  his  face  no  more,"  and 
sing  also  of  his  victory  over  the  last  enemy. 

Simultaneously  with  these  providential  trials 
came  others,  harder  to  bear,  at  the  hands  of 
men.  They  are  now  recalled  simply  to  illus- 
trate  features  of   Dr.   Elliott's  character,  and 


25 

elements  of  its  force,  wliicli  those  wlio  have 
known  him  only  in  old  age  can  but  partially 
appreciate.  There  was  a  small  but  influential 
party  in  his  church  opj^osed  to  the  entire  prin- 
ciple and  claim  of  church  government  and  dis- 
cipline. They  were  stimulated  into  activity 
by  an  occasion  meant  for  no  such  purpose.  A 
member  of  the  church  of  considerable  influence, 
having  almost  ceased  to  attend  upon  the  pub- 
lic ordinances,  neglected  his  duty  in  this  re- 
spect, even  after  several  kind  conferences  of  the 
session  with  him,  designed  to  win  him  back. 
Applying  then  for  a  letter  of  dismission  to 
another  church,  his  request  was  granted,  Avith 
simply  the  qualification  that  his  delinquency 
was  stated  in  the  certificate,  though  without 
any  expression  of  censure.  This  gave  offence, 
which  w^as  folio w;ed  with  the  demand  that  the 
session  should  recede,  by  giving  an  unqualified 
dismission  in  good  standing.  Upon  their  very 
proper  refusal,  some  of  the  opponents  of  church 
government  made  the  case  their  own,  and  set 
themselves  to  conquer  through  the  strife  of 
excitement.  A  letter  addressed  to  Dr.  Elliott 
himself  opened  his  eyes  to  a  scheme  much 
deeper  than  he  had  apprehended.  When 
clamor  had  failed,  resort  was  had  to  accusation 
at  the  bar  of  the  Presbytery.  Formal  charges 
were   presented  in  the   name    of   the  member 

9. 


26 

claiming  to  be  aggrieved,  against  the  session  as 
a  body.  Nor  was  the  heat  of  the  occasion 
satisfied  with  this.  The  pastor  himself  was 
attacked  with  a  charge  involving  his  veracity, 
though  the  difference  between  the  parties  Avas 
only  that  between  the  statement  of  a  fact  and 
the  statement  of  an  inference.  During  the  six 
mouths  intervening,  no  efforts  of  a  violent  spirit 
were  spared  to  create  a  prejudiced  sentiment. 
Just  before  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  at 
Chambersburg,  to  settle  the  case,  the  pastor  was 
prostrated  by  the  copious  blood-letting,  then 
deemed  necessary  to  reduce  inflammation  of 
the  lungs.  But  neither  his  physician's  prohi- 
bition, nor  his  emphatic  warning,  '^  You'll  die, 
sir:  youHl  die  ! ''''  could  keep  him  at  home  when 
the  time  came.  He  had  himself  conveyed  in  a 
close  carriage  to  the  scene  of  action,  preferring 
death,  if  God  should  so  please,  to  any  stain, 
however  slight,  upon  his  reputation.  After 
rigidly  examining  the  v/itnesses,  he  rallied  his 
w^asted  strength  for  a  sj)eech  of  half  an  hour, 
which,  for  clearness,  force,  and  conclusiveness, 
elicited  the  highest  enconiums  from  all  present. 
The  leading  members  of  the  Chambersburg 
bar  especially  united  in  the  verdict  that  the 
defence  w^as  mana2:ed  wnth  consummate  skill 
and  ability,  as  well  as  fairness.  The  result 
was  the  unanimous  acquittal  of  both  the  ses- 


27 

sion  and  the  pastor,  and  a  corresponding  cen- 
sure of  the  accuser. 

But,  as  if  this  were  not  enough,  an  appeal 
was  taken  to  the  Synod,  which  was  to  hold  its 
meeting  at  Lancaster.  In  that  body,  and  accord- 
ing to  the  rules,  Thomas  Bradford,  Esq.,  a  dis- 
tinguished lawyer  and  ruling  elder  from  Phila- 
delphia, and  member  of  the  Synod,  was  secured 
as  assistant  to  the  appellant,  and  entered  vigor- 
ously into  the  case.  He  laid  hold,  as  the  de- 
fendant anticipated,  of  certain  testimony,  the 
whole  plausibility  of  which  arose  from  the 
inadvertent  omission  of  the  Clerk  of  the  Pres- 
bytery to  transmit  a  portion  of  the  counteract- 
ing evidence.  Mr.  Bradford  concluded  with  a 
bold  challenge  of  the  possibility  of  escape  from 
adverse  judgment  on  that  ground.  The  chal- 
lenge was  as  confidently  accepted ;  the  very 
testimony  relied  on  was  shown,  by  a  clear  anal- 
ysis, to  be  involved  in  gross  self-contradiction ; 
and  Mr.  Bradford  was,  in  turn,  challenged  to 
sustain  his  own  witness.  With  but  one  dis- 
senting voice,  the  Synod  sustained  the  Pres- 
bytery's verdict  of  acquittal,  though  the  accuser 
was  relieved  from  censure,  on  the  charitable 
supposition,  that  he  might  have  been  misled  by 
his  own  witnesses.  But  against  this  relief 
from  censure,  the  Presbytery,  in  turn,  appealed 
to  the  General  Assembly  of  1823,  which  body 


28 

declared  this  latter  action  of  the  Synod  uncon- 
stitutional. Thus  the  order  of  the  church  was 
vindicated,  the  character  of  a  minister  was  trium- 
phantly sustained,  and  even  as  between  the 
city  attorney  and  the  village  preacher,  their 
introduction  in  hot  conflict  only  led  to  mutual 
admiration  and  a  life-long  friendship. 

The  oj^position,  thus  completely  foiled,  re- 
newed the  effort  at  home,  by  schemes  to  divide 
the  church,  through  ministers  not  of  the  Pres- 
byterian communion.  But,  by  the  blessing  of 
God  upon  a  characteristic  wisdom,  prudence 
and  steadfastness  to  truth,  those  schemes  came 
to  naught.  These  were  great  trials  to  a  sensi- 
tive heart,  conscious  only  of  rectitude  before 
God  and  man.  As,  however,  they  arose  in  the 
path  of  manifest  duty,  they  were  accepted  for 
Christ's  sake.  Their  ample  reward  came  in 
the  warmer  attachment  of  his  people,  and  in 
vastly  increased  reputation  in  the  whole  com- 
munity. And,  strange  to  say,  the  additions  to 
the  church,  during  their  progress,  were  greater 
than  usual.  Some,  also,  of  the  very  persons 
relied  upon  as  opponents,  were  brought  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  cry  in  the  ears  of  the  man  whom 
they  were  expected  to  oppose,  "  W/uii  ?)mst  I 
do  to  he  saved  ?  "  So  truly  does  the  Son  of  God 
stand  by  his  servants  in  the  hot  furnace  of  their 
trials,  that  not  a  hair  of  their  heads  may  be 


29 

injured  !  So  unmistakably  walks  "  tlie  faitliful 
witness"  "in  the  midst  of  the  golden  candle- 
sticks, and  holds  the  stars  in  his  right  hand  ! " 
Another  incident  of  this  first  pastorate, 
though  less  serious,  will  illustrate,  in  a  differ- 
ent direction,  the  firmness  and  courage  which 
lay  beneath  the  surface  of  a  character,  so 
marked  with  discreetness,  self-control,  and  a 
delicate  regard  to  the  situation  and  feelings  of 
others.  Even  then  he  gave  a  lesson,  the  like 
of  which  many  have  learned  since,  that  whilst 
a  personal  conflict  could  only  be  forced  upon 
him  by  encroachments  upon  his  rights,  or  upon 
truth  as  he  was  called  to  represent  it,  any 
assault  or  scheme  was  sure  to  find  him  ready 
for  the  emergency.  This  occasion  arose  during 
one  of  the  hottest  political  conflicts  ever  known 
in  Pennsylvania.  The  leading  men  of  his  con- 
gregation were  sharply  arrayed  under  party 
affinities.  Special  intensity  was  given  by  the 
fact  that  one  of  the  candidates  for  a  high  office 
was  both  a  personal  friend  and  a  member  of 
his  congregation.  Though  differing  with  that 
gentleman  in  political  convictions,  he  then  and 
always  entertained  for  him  the  greatest  respect. 
As  the  campaign  waxed  to  its  height,  he  held 
himself,  as  usual,  within  the  strictest  proprieties 
of  the  Christian  ministry,  with  a  quiet  purpose, 
however,  to  vote  for  his  honored  parishioner,  or, 


30 

at  least,  not  to  vote  against  him.  From  this 
course  of  his  own  preference,  however,  he  was 
turned,  by  a  contrivance  of  some  of  the 
candidate's  partisans,  in  which,  judging  from 
his  own  high  character,  we  may  be  sure  he  had 
no  part.  The  plan  was  artfully  to  draw  the 
young  pastor  from  the  quiet  and  kindly  posi- 
tion of  his  choice,  into  such  a  commitment  as 
might  be  used  with  effect  abroad.  A  commit- 
tee was  secretly  appointed  to  wait  upon  him, 
with  this  view.  A  confidential  friend,  however, 
discovering  and  disapproving  the  scheme,  felt  it 
to  be  his  duty  to  apprise  him  of  what  he  might 
expect,  but  withheld  advice  in  the  premises. 
The  result  appeared  in  advance  of  the  visit  of 
the  committee,  in  the  form  of  a  very  natural 
conversation  before  a  social  company  of  divided 
sentiments.  Both  parties  were  kindly  given  to 
understand  his  unabated  regard  for  the  candi- 
date resident  in  their  midst,  the  purpose  he  had 
formed,  and  also  its  reversal  now  by  a  course  of 
things  which  he  regretted,  but  which,  neverthe- 
less, had  determined  him  to  vote  in  his  accus- 
tomed way.  This  was  enough  to  settle  the 
question.  He  was,  of  course,  the  subject  of 
discussion  for  a  time.  But,  on  sober  reflection, 
it  was  the  final  conclusion  of  all  parties  con- 
cerned that  it  would  henceforth  be  wise  not  to 
interfere  with  a  minister,  who  knew  as  well  how 


31 

to  maintain  his  own  rights,  as  to  re=5pect  those 
of  his  people.  Such  a  lesson  is  not  without 
salutary  influence,  whenever  circumstances  de- 
mand it. 

Dr.  Elliott's  second  pastorate  was  briefer,  but 
not  less  important  than  the   first.      Laboring 
under  the  embarrassment  of  debt  from  the  pur- 
chase of  property  which  afterwards  depreciated, 
and  without  a  prospect  of  relief  from  a  congre- 
gation, of  whose  warm  love  he  w^as  yet  assured, 
he  was  startled  in  the  year  1828  with  a  letter 
from  his  admiring  friend,  Dr.  Matthew  Brown, 
then  President  of  Jefferson  College,  at  Canons- 
burg.     That  eminent  gentleman  had  just  been 
recalled  to  Washington,  Pennsylvania,  the  scene 
of  his  past  labors,  to  become  again  the  President 
of  a  college  which  he  had  organized,  and  to  take 
charge  of  a  beloved  church  of  which  he  had 
been  the  first  pastor.     Hesitating  between  the 
warm  impulses  of  his  heart  in  one  direction, 
and   the   obligations  of  an  official  position  in 
another,  he  confidentially  addressed  his  friend 
at  Mercersburg,  so  as  to  prepare  his  mind  to  take 
either  of  these  positions,  as  his  own  duty  might 
appear.     The  reply  disclosed  a  sense  of  discour- 
agement, though  it  fell  short  of  avowed  willing- 
ness to  leave  a  church  so  greatly  endeared.     The 
subsequent  declination  of  Dr.   Brown  was  at 
once   followed    with    another    arrangement    at 


32 

Washington,  wLich,  however,  did  not  go  into 
effect,  and  the  college  there  passed  into  suspen- 
sion. How  Dr.  Elliott  felt  about  these  move- 
ments will  best  appear  in  the  following  extract 
from  a  reply  to  Dr.  Brown,  dated  April  22d, 
1829.  "I  received  your  letter,"  he  says,  "of 
the  31st  ult.  Before  it  reached  me  I  had  seen, 
in  a  public  paper,  a  notice  of  your  having  de- 
clined the  acceptance  of  the  invitation  to  Wash- 
ington. Of  the  subsequent  movements  at  that 
place  I  had  no  notice  till  your  letter  detailed 
them.  In  the  result  I  feel  no  disappointment, 
as  I  had  not  permitted  myself  to  indulge  even  a 
desire  in  relation  to  either  place,  until  some  de- 
finite providential  indications  should  present 
the  subject  for  deliberation  and  decision.  How 
I  should  have  decided,  had  either  place  been  in 
my  offer,  I  am  unable  to  say.  As  matters,  have 
turned  out,  I  have  been  relieved  from  the  deci- 
sion of  what  would  have  been  a  23erplexing 
question." 

One  month  later,  the  pointing  of  these  provi- 
dential events  was  seen.  Dr.  Brown  communi- 
cated the  substance  of  the  previous  correspond- 
ence to  his  confidential  friend,  Alexander 
Keed,  Esq.,  an  influential  trustee  of  the  college 
and  member  of  the  church  at  Washington,  Avho 
gave  it  in  turn  to  the  session,  then  seeking  a 
pastor.      A  correspondence   w^as   opened   with 


33 

Dr.  Elliott,  throiigli  Mr.  Reed,  and  an  invitation 
to  visit  Washington,  with  a  view  of  settlement, 
was  accepted,  though  not  without  a  frank  state- 
ment of  the  whole  case  to  the  session  at  Mer- 
cersburg.  The  good  Doctor  has  often  told  me 
that,  feeling  unwell,  he  never  preached  with 
less  satisfaction  to  himself  than  during  that 
visit.  Yet  an  earnest  call  was  tendered  to  him 
by  the  congregation,  July  6th,  1829,  which  he 
held  under  consideration  for  three  weeks  of 
painful  suspense  and  of  earnest  prayer  for  light. 
At  the  end  of  that  time,  his  acceptance  was 
announced,  together  with  his  reasons.  They 
were  such  as  grew  out  of  his  financial  embarrass- 
ment, the  smaller  size  of  the  offered  congrega- 
tion at  the  time,  and  its  greater  compactness,  as 
mainly  in  town,  a  better  opportunity  of  edu- 
cating his  children,  an  ajDj^rehension  that  a 
change  might  be  beneficial  to  the  church  he 
was  leaving,  as  well  as  to  himself,  and,  most  of 
all,  a  conviction  that  he  was  obeying  the  Lord's 
will,  shown  in  a  way  that  he  had  not  sought.  On 
the  other  hand,  the  separation  was  attended  with 
the  deepest  mutual  sorrow.  ''It  has  cost  me,"  said 
he,  "  more  painful  feeling  than  any  one  event 
of  my  life."  The  people,  most  of  whom  would 
not  believe  such  an  event  possible,  awoke  to  its 
reality  only  in  time  to  shed  unavailing  tears. 
"  The  parting  scene,  in  many  cases,  was  one  of 


Q 


4 


inexpressible  tenderuess."  The  fai^e well  sermon 
was  preached  to  a  melted  assembly,  on  Sabbath, 
the  25th  of  October.  Two  days  later,  the 
Presbytery  dissolved  the  jDastoral  relation,  and, 
one  week  later  still,  the  dismissed  pastor  and 
his  family  set  out  upon  their  journey  across 
the  Alleghenies. 

The  reception  at  Washington  was  most  cor- 
dial. After  some  days  spent  at  the  hospitable 
home  of  Mr.  Keed,  the  house  provided  for  the 
family  was  occupied.  The  pastoral  work  was  ear- 
nestly commenced.  The  same  vigilance,  wis- 
dom and  ability  Avere  carried  into  the  work  of 
the  Gospel  as  in  the  former  charge.  The  posi- 
tion of  the  church,  the  culture  of  many  of  its 
members,  and  the  educational  influences  sur- 
rounding it,  were  calculated  to  stimulate  both 
study  and  activity.  Its  spiritual  and  social 
forces  soon  found  in  the  new  pastor  a  centre  of 
operation.  Not  by  pulpit  pyrotechnics,  but  by 
well-studied,  clear,  convincing,  and  persuasive 
gospel  discourses,  were  the  membership  edified 
into  strong  spiritual  life,  and  other  hearers 
were  drawn  and  impressed.  Prayer-meetings 
were  vigorously  conducted,  family  visitation 
was  prosecuted,  and  the  enterprises  of  Christian 
beneficence  were  reduced  to  system.  Especial- 
ly was  felt,  in  every  direction,  the  matchless 
personal   influence   of   a   leader,    whose   piety, 


35 

wisdom,  resolution,  and  sympathy  were  so 
blended  into  unity  of  force  that  all  delighted 
to  follow  him.  His  counsel  was  sought  in 
movements  of  the  community,  v/hilst  every 
personal  and  domestic  trial  of  his  own  people 
as  naturally  turned  to  his  compassion  and  help, 
as  the  hearts  of  children  go  in  trouble  to  lov- 
ing parents.  The  whole  work  of  the  church 
went  steadily  forward  during  the  seven  years 
of  this  ministry,  and  additions  to  its  member- 
ship were  regularly  made.  One  revival  of 
great  power  brought  fifty -one  additions  from 
the  ranks  of  the  world,  at  one  time,  in  1835, 
some  of  whom  were  students  in  the  college,  and 
are  now  preachers  of  the  Gospel.  The  whole 
number  added  was  two  hundred  and  forty- 
nine,  of  whom  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight, 
or  an  annual  average  of  twenty,  came  in  by 
profession  of  faith. 

To  Dr.  Elliott,  during  this  period,  more  than 
to  any  other  man,  was  due  the  resuscitation 
and  prosperity  of  Washington  College  after  its 
complete  prostration.  The  trustees  elected  him 
President  of  the  institution,  in  connection  with 
his  pastoral  charge,  less  than  four  months  after 
his  arrival  in  Washington.  Prom]3tly  declin- 
ing, under  the  impression  that  the  Church 
demanded  his  whole  time,  he  nominated  the 
Kev.    David    McConaughy,    D.D.,    and,    after 


36 

him,  the  Eev.  Dr.  Tliomas  J.  Biggs.  Tlie 
declination  of  these  gentlemen  prompted  a 
renewed  appeal  in  the  direction  of  the 
Board's  first  choice,  which  induced,  him  to 
consent  so  far  as  to  become  "  Actim^:  Presi- 
dent  and  Professor  of  Moral  Philosophy,"  until 
a  permanent  president  could  be  secured.  He 
opened  the  college,  accordingly,  November  2d, 
1830,  with  two  additional  professors,  and  some 
twenty  boys  of  the  vicinity,  exalted  into  stu- 
dents. His  inaugural  address  amused  some, 
surprised  others,  and  aroused  all  by  its  spirit 
of  resolution  and  hope.  By  means  of  extensive 
correspondence  and  other  agencies  abroad,  and 
vigorous  internal  management,  the  third  ses- 
sion ended  w^ith  one  hundred  and  nineteen 
young  men  enrolled,  and  the  regular  classes 
respectably  filled.  Meanwhile,  by  a  visit  to 
Harrisburg,  he  had  secured  an  annual  appro- 
priation of  ^ve  hundred  dollars  for  five  years, 
for  the  support  of  an  English  Department,  hav- 
ing special  reference  to  the  education  of  teach- 
ers. At  that  stage  of  progress,  he  handed 
over  the  institution  to  Dr.  McConoughy,  in  the 
spring  of  1 832,  by  w^hom  the  Presidency,  again 
tendered,  had  been  accepted.  Then  the  acting 
})resident  was  transferred  to  the  Presidency  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  an  office  he  filled  to  the 
honor  and  benefit  of  the  college,  for  the  continu- 


37 

ous  period  of  thirty-three  years,  until  the  union 
of  the  colleges  in  1865. 

This  second  and  last  pastorate  of  Dr.  Elliott 
came  to  an  end  in  the  summer  of  1836,  not  by  any 
action  or  wish  of  the  people  or  himself,  but  in 
obedience  to  the  call  of  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  to  take  a  professor- 
ship in  the  Western  Theological  Seminary  at 
Allegheny  City,  Pennsylvania.  His  acceptance 
was  reluctant,  and  against  his  personal  prefer- 
ence at  the  time.  His  people  opposed  it  with 
unanimous  urgency.  The  Elders  and  Trustees 
of  the  Church  united  in  an  able  and  earnest 
letter  of  remonstrance,  written  by  the  Plon. 
Thomas  M.  T.  McKennan,  a  leading  trustee. 
Another  earnest  letter,  to  the  same  purpose, 
written  by  the  Hon.  John  H.  Ewing,  pressed 
the  interests  of  the  College  along  with  those  of 
the  church  against  his  removal.  His  own  re- 
peated replies  of  declination  to  the  Seminary 
directors  were  returned,  with  renewed  appeals 
to  him  as  the  only  man  who  so  had  the  con- 
fidence of  the  Presbyterian  Church  as,  under 
God,  to  be  able  to  rescue  that  institution  from 
its  perils,  and  carry  it  to  success.  His  final 
compliance  was  simply  a  surrender  of  himself 
to  the  indication  from  God,  as  expressed  in  the 
appeals  of  his  brethren.  Even  his  people, 
having  the  utmost  confidence  in  his  integrity. 


38 

when  they  discovered  his  convictions  of  duty, 
ceased,  saying,  "  The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done.' 
He  left  them  vii^^orous  and  united.  Bevond 
the  work  which  most  men  could  have  accom- 
plished, his  great  wisdom  had  been  blessed  in 
removing  every  trace  of  the  bitter  controversies 
and  alienations  connected  with  the  manao^ement 
of  the  collesre  in  former  years,  thus  brino^ine  to 
completeness  the  work  of  healing,  so  well  begun 
by  his  eminent  predecessor,  Dr.  Obadiah  Jen- 
nings. And  the  parting  at  Washington,  as  at 
Mercersburg,  was  under  the  power  of  a  mutual 
res2:)ect  and  affection,  which  could  be  ended  only 
by  death. 

The  life  of  Dr.  Elliott  as  a 

THEOLOGICAL     PEOFESSOE 

next  claims  our  attention.  Though  the  most 
important  and  far-reaching  of  all,  it  does  not 
need  to  be  spread  out  at  great  length.  Its  long 
continuance,  its  incessant  watching,  its  various 
and  assiduous  labor,  and  its  honor  and  success 
belong  to  the  written  and  unwritten  history  of 
the  Seminary,  which,  with  God's  help,  he  re- 
deemed fi'om  destruction,. bore  along  the  path 
of  its  unparalleled  trials,  and  at  length  beheld 
with  his  own  eyes  established  and  prosperous. 
He  came  to  it,  in  its  adversity,  from  a  pleasant 
and  oTowino'  ehari^^e.     He  bowed  down  under 

o  o  o 


39 

its  burdens  with  a  trustful  heart.  His  faith 
looked  through  its  clouds  of  discouragement,  to 
read  its  future  in  the  promises  of  a  covenant- 
keeping  God.  Upon  its  altars  he  laid  his  best 
offerings  of  talent  and  scholarship,  zeal  and 
prayer.  He  has  many  witnesses  of  his  fidelity 
before  the  throne,  who  have  been  called  to  rest, 
when  the  service  for  which  he  so  well  trained 
them  Avas  finished.  He  has  hundreds  more 
lino'erinof  on  earth  behind  him,  whose  dis- 
ciplined  minds  and  quickened  hearts  give  echo 
to  his  lucid  instructions  and  winning  spii'itual- 
ity.  He  is  dead,  but  the  Seminary  stands  to 
commemorate  him,  and  its  sons  are  proclaiming 
throughout  our  land  and  in  "  the  dark  places 
of  the  earth,  full  of  the  habitations  of  cruelty," 
the  truth  of  God  which  fell  fi'om  his  lips. 

The  General  Assembly  of  1835,  which  elected 
Dr.  Elliott  to  a  Professorship,  designated  for 
him  the  Chair  of  Church  History.  At  that 
very  time,  and  for  months  afterwards,  the  friends 
of  the  Seminary  at  South  Hanover — afterwards 
at  Xew  Albany — in  the  State  of  Indiana, 
represented  by  the  Rev.  James  Blythe,  D.D., 
the  Key.  John  Finley  Crowe,  and  others,  were 
making  earnest  overtures  to  him  for  the  accept- 
ance of  a  professorship  in  that  institution.  The 
latter  proposal  was  absolutely  declined,  whilst 
the  former  y»'as  accepted  only  after  a  year  s  con- 


40 

sideration,  and  then,  under  a  modification  by 
the  Directors,  heartily  approved  by  Profes^^or 
Halsey,  and  finally  sanctioned  by  the  Assembly 
of  1836.  Under  this  arrangement,  Dr.. Halsey 
was  transferred  to  the  Chair  of  History,  and 
to  Dr.  Elliott  was  given  that  of  Theology.  He 
entered  upon  his  duties  shortly  after  the  rising 
of  the  Assembly,  though  still  occupying  his 
pulpit  until  his  formal  release  in  October  fol- 
lowing. That  position  he  continued  to  hold 
until  the  election  of  the  Rev.  William  S.  Plu- 
mer,  D.D.,  in  1854,  when,  at  his  own  suggestion, 
the  General  Assembly  authorized  the  Directors 
and  Faculty  to  readjust  the  chairs  of  instruction. 
This  change,  made  with  his  cordial  approbation, 
gave  him  the  dej^artment  of  Polemic  and  His- 
torical Theology,  whilst  Dr.  Plumer  became 
Professor  of  Didactic  and  Pastoral  Theology. 

Dr.  Elliott  was  quite  at  home  in  the  sphere 
of  his  own  teaching.  If,  for  satisfactory  reasons, 
already  given,  the  preparation  usual  in  his 
times  did  not  embrace  the  whole  range  of 
scholarship,  now  open,  every  pupil  of  his  days 
of  vigor  retains  the  deepest  sense  of  his  clear- 
ness, fullness,  and  thoroughness.  During  his 
earlier  period,  he  taught  much  more  by  text- 
books and  less  by  lectures,  than  afterwards. 
His  familiarity  with  the  standard  writers  en- 
abled him  to  enrich  with   their  treasures  the 


41 

discussions  of  the  class-room.  His  facility  in 
the  Latin  language  especially  enabled  him  to 
use  the  incomparable  Turretin  and  other  au- 
thorities in  that  dead  tongue  with  advantage. 
It  was  his  habit  to  indicate  to  the  students  a 
course  of  collateral  reading,  and  then  to  test 
their  acquisitions  by  searching  questions,  rang- 
ing through  the  whole  field  of  inquiry.  Theses 
upon  specified  subjects  were  also  required,  and 
subjected  to  criticism.  And  never  was  frank 
encouragement  withheld  from  those  who  ap- 
proached him  with  honest  difficulties  or  in- 
quiries after  truth.  If  the  result  was  not  the 
student's  satisfactory  advancement  in  profes- 
sional knowledge  and  skill,  it  was  then  a  mor- 
tifying conviction  of  his  own  unfaithfulness. 
Others  of  his  day  might  have  been  more 
sprightly  or  brilliant  in  illustration  than  he, 
but  few  professors  sent  forth  their  pupils  with 
clearer  marks  of  systematic  drill  and  thorough 
sifting.  And  often  did  a  part  of  his  reward 
come  back  in  the  warm  thanks  of  candidates 
for  licensure,  who,  trembling  under  rigid  Pres- 
byterial  examinations,  the  fashion  whereof  these 
more  rapid  times  have  left  behind,  have  re- 
joiced, in  their  agony,  that  they  had  been  built 
up  and  fortified  under  his  skillful  hands. 

Of    his    manner  in  his  later   professorship, 
entered  upon  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years,  I 


42 

am  iinable  to  speak  with  the  experiences  of  a 
student,  exce2:>t  as  its  branches  were  interwoven 
with  his  former  teaching.  But  his  well-known 
attainments  and  skill  in  these  directions,  to- 
gether with  the  earnestness  he  carried  into  the 
preparation  and  performance  alike,  gave  a  pledge 
which,  by  the  common  judgment,  has  been  fully 
redeemed.     Amon«:   the    achievements   of  this 

CD 

last  service  are  full  courses  of  Lectures  on 
Church  Government,  and  also  on  Pastoral  The- 
ology, ready  for  the  press,  should  the  present 
wants  of  the  Church  demand  these  rij)e  fruits  of 
his  patient  study  and  great  experience.  His 
release  from  active  duty,  four  years  ago,  to 
vspend  the  quiet  evening  of  his  life  as  Emeritus 
Professor  in  pastoral  counsels  and  prayers 
among  the  students,  was  no  more  than  a  just 
recognition  of  his  long  and  faithful  work. 

Many  who  hear  me  will  welcome  the  transi- 
tion from  the  official  to  the  personal  relations 
of  the  honored  professor.  He  was  no  less  a 
trusted  counselor  and  friend  than  revered  teach- 
er. With  the  tender  care  of  a  father,  he  watched 
over  the  interests  of  his  students,  and  sousrht 
their  good.  He  both  desired  and  received  their 
confidence.  Their  pecuniary  embarrassments, 
their  perplexities  of  health,  their  doubts  and 
fears  in  spiritual  darkness,  and  all  the  agitating 
questions  looking  forward  to  their  life-work, 


43 

found  in  him  a  ready  ear  and  sympatlietic  heart. 
And  when  they  left  the  Seminary  threshold, 
with  his  parting  blessing,  he  followed  them  to 
their  fields  of  labor,  far  or  near,  with  his  love 
and  prayers.  Never  did  professor  cherish  for 
pupils  fonder  solicitude.  If  he  was  ever  wont 
to  forget  himself  in  the  indulgence  of  an  excus- 
able vanity,  it  was  when  he  would  connect  with 
the  mention  of  the  achievements  or  promotion 
of  any  of  them  the  almost  invariable  suggestion, 
"  He  is  a  son  of  our  Seminary."  And  now  that 
he  has  gone  up  to  his  reward,  there  are  hun- 
dreds, who,  in  turn,  as  they  recall  his  tender 
counsels,  are  ready  to  cry,  with  the  junior 
prophet,  "  My  Father !  My  Father  !  " 

Nor  yet  is  the  service  of  our  venerated  pro- 
fessor brought  out  until  we  give  due  prominence 
to  his  executive  management,  and  his  great  per- 
sonal influence  in  carrying  the  Seminary  for- 
ward. It  had  been  established  by  the  General 
Assembly,  with  much  public  favor,  through  the 
influence  of  Drs.  Herron,  Swift,  Patterson, 
Brown,  Jennings,  and  other  noble  men.  Its 
valuable  instruction  had  been  given  in  the 
largest  measure  by  Dr.  Luther  Ilalsey,  who 
remained  as  his  associate  for  one  year,  and  now, 
having  joined  us  in  tears  at  his  burial,  lingers 
behind  him  to  perform,  in  the  same  institution, 
his  last  service  for  Christ.    But  several  practical 


44 

mistakes  had  shaken  the  confidence  of  the 
churches  in  its  financial  management,  and  in- 
clined them  to  withhold,  to  some  extent,  fur- 
ther contributions.  After  ten  years  of  experi- 
ment, unfinished  buildings,  a  faculty  incomplete 
in  number,  a  salary  relatively  less  than  he  had 
been  receiving,  absolute  dependence  upon  the 
voluntary  support  of  contributors  whose  first 
fervor  had  been  expended,  and,  most  of  all,  the 
disturbed  state  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  then 
tending  toward  the  great  rupture  of  1888 ;  these, 
taken  singly,  or  together,  offered  feeble  induce- 
ments to  a  man  of  his  wisdom  and  foresight,  in 
no  need  of  seeking  a  position,  except  as  they 
a2:)pealed  to  his  spirit  of  consecration  and  of 
faith  in  God.  His  acceptance  at  all,  in  these 
circumstances,  is  an  imperishable  record  of  his 
character.  But  what  shall  we  say  of  his  con 
sequent  anxieties  and  toils ;  his  sleej)less  vigi- 
lance ;  his  frequent  journeys,  as  well  as  appeals 
by  letter  and  through  the  press,  as  a  suppliant 
for  help  ;  his  unequaled  personal  influence 
among  friends  and  in  ecclesiastical  bodies,  con- 
stantly wielded  for  the  same  end  ;  and  the 
many  able  and  skillful  contributions  of  his 
pen  to  repel  assaults,  to  counteract  injurious 
schemes,  and  both  to  hold  and  stir  the  flagging 
spirits  of  friends  ?  As  a  confidant  behind  the 
scene,  I  boldly  assert   that   in   all   the   honor 


45 

accredited  to  him  in  life  for  this  work,  and  in 
all  the  warm-hearted  tributes  to  his  memory, 
the  half  has  not  been  told.  Never  was  heart 
braver  than  his  to  withstand  the  discourage- 
ments of  friends,  nor  to  confront  the  devices  of 
opponents.  His  own  heart-conflicts  opened  in 
their  fullness  only  to  God,  with  whom  he  pleaded 
in  faith  when  every  other  door  was  shut.  I 
have  knelt  at  his  family  altar  again  and  again, 
when  his  emotions,  pressed  with  this  great  in- 
terest, struggled  heavenward  in  language  which 
only  the  Searcher  of  Hearts  could  fully  under- 
stand. 

To  a  divine  blessing  upon  this  fidelity  as 
much  as  to  all  other  agencies,  does  the  Church 
owe  the  preservation  of  this  school  of  the 
prophets,  through  a  hard  contest  of  fifteen 
years  for  its  very  .life.  Faithful  helpers  he  had, 
but  even  they  would  have  yielded  without  his 
constancy.  The  doubled  roll  of  students  in  two 
years,  confirmed  the  confidence  of  the  Church, 
as  expressed  in  his  election.  Even  in  1840, 
when  untoward  circumstances  left  him  alone  in 
the  faculty,  and,  for  a  time,  reduced  the  num- 
ber of  students,  as  well  as  increased  the  other 
embarrassments,  his  resolute  sj^irit  proved  the 
power  of  God  unto  continuance  and  triumph. 
And  for  years  afterwards.  Professors  and  Direc- 
tors alike  clung  to  him,  in  emergencies  of  trial, 


46 

for  the  suj^port  of  their  wavering  ho2:>e.  Others 
might  turn  elsewhere  for  ease  or  promotion, 
but  in  sunshine  or  cloud,  his  piirj^ose  faltered 
not,  and  his  heart  ever  said,  "  This  one  tJiing  I 
chy  In  illustration,  let  me  give  a  single  fact. 
When  the  late  Dr.  McConaughy  resigned  the 
Presidency  of  Washington  College  in  1849,  the 
first  formal  effort  to  secure  a  successor  found  ex- 
pression in  a  confidential  letter,  written  by  my- 
self, to  Dr.  Elliott,  in  behalf  of  the  local  trus- 
tees, to  inquire  whether  he  would  suffer  the  use 
of  his  name  for  the  vacant  place.  The  College 
was  prosperous  at  the  time.  The  trustees  well 
knew  the  man,  as  they  remembered  the  Presi- 
dent, through  whose  ability  the  institution 
breathed  new  life  in  1830.  Under  such  head- 
ship again,  they  did  not  doubt  of  success.  But 
the  reply  was  prom]3t,  and  also  characteristic  in 
candor  and  kindness.  With  the  highest  regard 
for  gentlemen  whom  he  reckoned  among  his 
best  friends,  joined  with  a  deep  interest  in  a 
college  whose  reputation  was  linked  with  his 
own,  he  would  not  allow  this  use  of  his  name 
His  duty  to  the  Seminary  was  his  reason ;  and 
this  was  all  the  more  imperative,  just  because 
the  endowment  scheme  was  in.  painful  doubt, 
the  Seminary  was  in  debt,  and  a  vigorous 
movement  was  then  in  process,  in  view  of  its 
embarrassments,  to  transfer  it,  along  with  that 


47 

of  New  Albany,  to  Cincinnati.  Then  and  al- 
ways, come  what  might,  both  his  effective  in- 
fluence and  his  constancy  were  true  to  the 
object  of  his  love. 

It  only  now  remains  to  present  the  public 
life  of  Dr.  Elliott  as 

AN   ECCLESIASTIC. 

His  mind  possessed  the  essential  element  of 
fitness  in  this  direction,  in  its  clear  and  accurate 
discrimination.  Few  could  be  compared  with 
him  in  judgment  of  both  things  and  men. 
Church  government,  therefore,  alike  in  its  prin- 
ciples and  applications,  was  congenial  to  his 
taste.  The  necessities  of  his  first  charge,  as  we 
have  seen,  forced  ujDon  him  the  mastery  of  this 
branch  of  study.  As  a  result,  his  first  important 
publication  was  a  volume  of  "  Letters  on  Church 
Government,"  which  was  well  received  at  the 
time.  His  talent  and  skill  in  this  way  were 
highly  a23preciated  from  the  first,  and  would 
have  made  him  a  leader  in  church  courts  in 
spite  of  himself.  Not  only  was  his  own  ad- 
ministration, as  a  pastor  and  moderator  of 
session,  marked  with  eminent  wisdom,  but  no 
opinions  Vv^ere  more  highly  prized  than  his  in 
meetings  of  Presbytery,  Synod,  or  even  the 
General  Assembly.     They  were  also  privatel}" 


48 

sought  on  all  hands,  by  his  brethren,  by  ses- 
sions, and  by  parties  to  judicial  proceedings, 
sometimes  in  person,  and  as  often  by  letter, 
even  from  distant  parts  of  the  country.  In 
ecclesiastical  courts,  he  seldom  failed  to  carry 
his  point,  partly  by  the  luminous  and  skillful 
method  of  presenting  his  views ;  partly  by  his 
quick  discernment  of  men  ;  but  more  than  all, 
by  the  conviction  left  by  his  argument,  that  he 
was  right.  Those  who  differed  from  him  in 
Judgment  were  apt  to  count  the  cost  before 
drawing  him  forth  as  an  antagonist  in  debate. 
The  wisest  fathers  of  the  Church  admired  his 
extraordinary  power  to  disentangle  the  real 
issue  from  the  complication  of  irrelevant  ques- 
tions, thus  winning  half  the  battle  before  his 
own  argument  was  begun.  Indeed,  his  mental 
force  and  his  impressive  utterance  never  ap- 
peared to  better  advantage  than  when  they 
were  sharpened  in  the  conflict  of  discussion, 
upon  some  Judicial  question,  or  some  great  in- 
terest of  the  truth  or  the  Church.  On  the 
other  hand,-  the  calmness,  perspicuity^  prompt- 
ness and  thoroughness  of  his  decisions,  as  a 
presiding  officer,  made  them  next  to  infallible. 
But,  along  with  all  these  qualities,  and  con- 
tri})uting  largely  to  their  po^ver,  were  his  uni- 
form courtesy,  suavity,  honor,  and  delicate  re- 
gard to  the  sensibilities  of  others. 


49 

These  statements  of  themselves  suggest  the 
reason,  not  only  why,  more  than  any  person  as- 
sociated with  him,  he  was  entrusted  with  the 
settlement  of  church  difficulties,  but  why  also, 
prior  to  the  age  when  close  confinement  affected 
his  health,  he  was  so  often  sent  as  a  member  to 
the  General  Assembly,  especially  at  times  when 
great  questions  were  at  issue.  The  Presbytery 
of  Carlisle  so  commissioned  him  to  the  Assem- 
bly of  1814, — the  second  after  his  ordination. 
He  represented  the  same  constituency  in  the 
Assemblies  of  1820  and  1827,  In  the  former 
he  made  his  first  speech  on  the  floor  of  that 
august  body,  upon  the  '^  Plan  of  Correspondence 
with  the  Associate  Reformed  Church,"  and  in 
the  latter,  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  Ju- 
dicial Committee ;  as  chairman  also  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Narrative  of  the  state  of  reliofion, 
and  wrote  that  paper;  he  also  prepared  another 
report  on  a  judicial  case,  which  harmonized  the 
seriously  conflicting  views  of  the  court ;  and  he 
took  part  also  with  the  majority  in  the  location 
of  the  seminary  which  became  the  scene  of  his 
future  and  then  unexj^ected  service,  as  professor. 
The  Presbytery  of  Washington  embraced  its 
first  opportunity  of  sending  him  to  the  Assem- 
bly, in  1830,  and  repeated  this  token  of  confi- 
dence in  1835.      The  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  in 

like  manner,  showed  its  appreciation  by  elect- 
3 


50 

ing  him  as  its  Moderator  in  1831,  the  first  meet- 
ing he  regularly  attended, — sickness  in  his 
family  having  hindered  his  presence  during 
most  of  the  sessions  of  the  previous  year.  And 
it  was  at  that  meeting,  and  with  his  earnest  co- 
operation, that  the  "  Western  Foreign  Mission- 
ary Society  "  was  formed,  which  has  expanded 
into  the  present  glorious  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions of  the  General  Assembly."^  In  the  former 
of  the  Assemblies  (1830)  last  named,  Dr.  Elliott, 
besides  other  important  service,  prepared  a  re- 
port as  chairman  of  a  committee,  in  which  the 
Assembly  not  only  disproved  but  repelled  as 
inexcusably  slanderous,  certain  accusations  that 
the  Presbyterian  church  sought  a  union  of 
church  and  state.  In  the  latter — held  at 
Pittsburg  in  1835 — he  was  prominent  among 
the  leaders  of '  a  house  in  which  the  rallied 
forces  of  old  and  new  schoolism  met  in  the 
hardest  battle- strife.  A  pronounced  old-school 
man  himself,  his  justness  and  considerateness 
towards  opponents  so  secured  their  personal  con- 
fidence as  greatly  to  increase  his  power.  By 
just  such  influence,  he  had  at  the  last  meeting 
of  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  harmonized  the  irri- 
tations of  that  body  into  the  unanimous  adop- 

*  In  this  connection  it  may  not  be  improper  to  state  that  he  was 
Moderator  of  the  old  Synod  of  Philadelphia  in  1837,  and  also  the 
first  Moderator  of  the  Synod  of  Allegheny  after  its  organization  in 
1854. 


51 

tion  of  a  decided  but  conciliatory  report,  written 
by  himself,  upon  one  of  the  most  strenuous 
measures  of  the  controversy — the  famous  "  Act 
and  Testimony."  The  Moderator  of  1834  not 
being  present,  his  position,  by  right  of  custom, 
as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Bills  and 
Overtures  in  the  Assembly  of  1835,  was  assign- 
ed by  the  new  Moderator,  Dr.  Phillips,  of  New 
York,  to  Dr.  Elliott.  Besides  much  other  im- 
portant business,  this  committee  was  called  to 
consider  the  overture  of  a  large  convention  of 
old-school  men,  which  had  preceded  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Assembly,  covering  the  important 
questions  in  controversy.  He  was  also  chair- 
man of  the  committee  on  the  transfer  of  the 
Western  Foreign  Missionary  Society  to  the  con- 
trol of  the  Assembly,  which  entered  largely 
into  the  strife  also,  as  involving  the  question 
between  ecclesiastical  management  of  Missions 
and  their  management  by  irresj^onsible  volun- 
tary associations.  That  transfer  was  not  ac- 
complished by  the  next  Assembly,  owing  to  an 
adverse  majority  in  that  body,  but  was  con- 
summated the  following  year. 

The  professorship  of  Dr.  Elliott  having  car- 
ried him  as  a  member  into  the  Presbytery  of 
Ohio — now  the  Presbytery  of  Pittsburg — that 
body  also  elected  him  at  its  first  meeting  there- 
after, as  a  Commissioner  to  the  General  Assem- 


52 

bly  of  1837.  By  that  body,  wMcli  held  its  ses- 
sions in  Philadelphia,  on  the  nomination  of  Dr. 
Ashbel  Green,  he  was  elected  its  Moderator,  by 
a  majority  of  thirty-one  votes  over  .Dr.  Baxter 
Dickinson.  This  vote  revealed  the  relation  and 
strength  of  parties.  That  Assembly  has  long 
since  become  historical  as  the  real  crisis  of  the 
division  of  the  church,  formally  accomplished 
the  following  year.  Its  debates  were  marked 
with  great  ability  and  as  intense  earnestness. 
The  measures  adopted  were  of  a  decided  char- 
acter, but  every  inch  of  ground  vv^as  fought 
over  before  they  were  reached.  But  over  that 
powerful  body,  thus  aroused,  presided  the  most 
self-governed  of  all  the  number.  His  equanim- 
ity was  not  disturbed  during  the  three  weeks 
of  hot  debate.  His  decisions  were  prompt  and 
clear.  His  ov/n  sentiments  were  known  by  all, 
but  his  justice  and  his  courtesy  were  without 
discrimination.  Even  the  other  side  generally 
admitted  both  his  ability  and  fairness.  Long 
afterwards,  with  his  own  hand  he  penned  the 
record  of  his  spirit  and  action  then,  in  the  sig- 
nificant words,  ^'  I  cannot,  upon  a  careful  review 
of  my  course,  charge  myself  with  giving  that 
portion  of  the  Assembly  with  whom  I  sympa- 
thized any  undue  advantage  over  the  others." 
His  sentiments  in  regard  to  the  measures  of 
that  Assembly  came  fully  out  in  a  speech  in 


53 


their  defence  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Synod 
of  Pittsburg, — the  longest,  ablest,  and  most 
effective  speech  of  his  life.  It  was  in  formal 
reply  to  his  valued  friends,  Dr.  Herron  and  the 
Hon.  Robert  C.  Grier,  afterwards  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States.  These 
gentlemen  both  adhered  to  the  same  Assembly 
with  himself,  but  they  disapproved  of  some  of 
its  measures. 

Dr.  Elliott  was  returned  to  the  next  Assem- 
bly, in  1838,  over  which,  after  preaching  an 
able  opening  sermon,  he  presided,  under  the 
rule,  until  its  organization  by  the  election  of 
his  successor.  During  this  brief  space  the  rup- 
ture was  finally  accomplished.  Never  did  a 
Presbyterian  Moderator  occupy  the  chair  in  so 
momentous  and  trying  a  crisis.  Yet  there  he 
sat  calm  above  the  tumult,  meeting  each  emer- 
gency with  instant  decision,  and  yet  v/ith  an 
accuracy  which,  in  every  instance,  received  the 
sanction  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania, 
as  expressed  in  the  ''  opinion  "  rendered  by  one 
of  the  ablest  Judges  of  this  or  any  other  state, — 
the  late  Chief  Justice  John  Bannister  Gibson. 
That  eminent  jurist,  after  a  most  exhaustive  re- 
view of  the  proceedings — of  which  the  Modera- 
tor's decisions  were  often  the  most  vital — as 
well  as  of  the  pleadings,  arguments  of  counsel, 
and  the  adverse  judgment  of  the  court  of  Nisi 


54 

Prius,  vindicated  each  of  these  decisions  sepa- 
rately, as  well  as  all  of  them  conjointly.  This 
was  done  by  a  most  rigid  analysis  and  applica- 
tion of  the  specific  law  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  of  the  statutes  of  Pennsylvania, 
from  which  State  the  charter  of  the  Trustees  of 
the  General  Assembly  had  been  received,  and 
also  of  the  general  principles  of  parliamentary 
law  and  usage.  It  was  just  after  this  searching 
review  that  the  distinguished  Chief  Justice  is 
reported  to  have  said,  in  conversation  with 
gentlemen  of  the  Bar,  that  "  Pennsylvania  had 
only  missed  having  the  best  lawyer  in  the  state, 
in  the  person  of  Dr.  Elliott,  by  his  becoming  a 
minister  of  the  gospel." 

It  was  at  the  close  of  the  same  great  trial 
that  the  Hon.  John  Sergeant,  of  Philadelphia, 
w^hose  masterly  and  thorough  argument  in  the 
case,  some  have  pronounced  the  greatest  of  his 
life, — in  which,  too,  he  not  only  fully  vindicat- 
ed the  official  decisions  of  Dr.  Elliott,  but  also 
paid  the  highest  tribute  to  his  character — wrote 
a  private  letter  to  his  brother-in-law,  tlie  llev.  Dr. 
Samuel  Miller,  of  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  under 
date  of  May  2d,  1889,  of  which  the  follow^ing  is 
an  extract,  viz : 

"If  it  be  practicable,  it  seems  to  me  that  Dr.  Elliott 
ought  to  have  some  special  mark  of  regard  and  confidence. 
He  has  been  at  a  post  of  danger,  where  he  has  well  per- 
formed his  duty,  but  where  he  could  not  escape  suffering. 


55 

He  is  entitled  to  much  consideration  from  those  for  whom 
he  was  thus  exposed.  Would  it  be  fit  to  make  him  Modera- 
tor of  the  next  Assembly?  "     (See  Dr.  Miller's  Life.) 

But  the  compliment  of  a  second  election  to 
the  Moderator's  chair  has  never  been  conferred 
by  the  Assembly.  Had  it  been  attempted,  it 
is  far  from  certain  that  this  case  would  not 
have  been  made  an  exception  to  the  stern 
usao^e. 

In  all  these  controversies,  thus  brought  to  an 
end.  Dr.  Elliott  was  animated  with  the  one 
governing  j)urpose  of  maintaining  God's  truth. 
If,  like  all  other  men,  he  was  fallible,  he  was 
wont  to  "  speak  the  truth  in  love,"  even  when 
he  set  himself  to  "  contend  earnestly  for  the 
faith  once  delivered  to  the  shunts."  And  when, 
after  the  lapse  of  years,  he  became  convinced 
that  the  same  truth  and  glory  of  God  would 
be  advanced  by  the  re-union  of  the  two  several 
branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  on  th^ 
basis  of  the  standards  pure  and  simple — most  of 
the  questions  in  controversy  having  then  disap- 
peared— he  gave  to  this  blessed  consummation, 
so  long  wished  and  prayed  for,  his  cordial  and 
prayerful  sanction.  The  master-sj^irit  in  the 
storms  of  tumult  and  rupture,  a  generation 
later,  with  a  like  devotion  to  the  pure  gospel, 
gave  the  hand  of  fellowship  and  uttered  the 
words  of  benediction  over  union  and  peace  re- 


stored.  And  amidst  the  final  blending  in  1870, 
in  the  same  city  which  witnessed  the  disrup- 
tion, the  wires  flashed  from  Allegheny  City  the 
salutation : 

"The  Moderator  of  the  last  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  immediately  preceding  the  separation, 
sends  greeting  to  the  first  re-united  Assembly  of  the  same, 
through  their  Moderator,  praying  that  their  proceedings 
may  be  distinguished  by  the  wisdom  that  is  from  above, 
and  cemented  by  the  charity  which  is  the  bond  of  pcrfect- 
ness.  David  Elljott." 

Dr.  Elliott  was  once  more  sent  by  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Ohio  to  the  Assembly,  in  1844.  The 
Presbytery  of  Allegheny  City  in  like  manner 
honored  itself  by  sending  him,  in  his  old  age, 
to  those  of  1864  and  1865.  In  the  latter  he 
offered  and  secured  the  passage  of  a  strong  re- 
port on  tem23erance,  which  abides,  together  with 
his  able  defence  of  it  in  the  Presbyterian  Banner 
two  years  ago,  to  his  undying  credit.  His  last 
public  and  official  appearance  in  this  highest 
court  of  the  church  was  in  1867,  when,  though 
not  a  member  of  the  body,  he  read  in  clear 
tones  his  able  and  comprehensive  report  as 
chairman  of  a  committee,  appointed  the  pre- 
vious year,  on  "  Ministerial  Sustentation,"  with 
special  reference  to  "  unemployed  ministers  and 
vacant  churches."  As  the  production  of  an 
octogenarian,  that  report  challenged  the  ad- 
miration of  the  Assembly  and  the  Church  for 


57 

the  wisdom  of  its  reasonings  and  conclusions, 
and  for  the  faultless  excellence  of  its  construc- 
tion. If  the  Church  has  not  yet  come  up  to 
readiness  for  its  fulfillment,  it  still  contains  the 
great  principles,  in  which  she  must  find  a 
remedy  for  her  neglected  work  and  her  wasted 
power. 

But  now  we  must  close  this  imperfect  sketch 
of  the  puhliG  life  of  our  venerable  Doctor,  with 
a  brief  delineation  of  his 

Private  Chaeacter. 

This  takes  us  within  the  sphere  of  personal 
acquaintance  and  intimacy,  to  express  the 
judgment  and  feeling  of  many  witnesses,  capa- 
ble of  verifying  every  word  that  shall  be 
uttered.  Dr.  Elliott's  character  was,  after  all, 
the  real  stronghold  of  his  influence.  Vigorous 
and  cultured  intellect,  superior  wisdom,  unfalter- 
ing energy,  and  a  life-long  service,  all  come  to 
proportion  and  power  in  the  moral  excellence  of 
the  man  to  whom  they  belonged.  In  person,  he 
was  above  the  medium  size.  He  was  genial 
and  sympathetic  in  his  feelings.  His  manners 
had  the  simplicity,  candor,  politeness  and  at- 
tractiveness of  a  true  Christian  gentleman.  He 
was  mao^nanimous  and  courteous,  even  in  differ- 
ence  and  contest.  As  he  scorned  unfair  advan- 
tage in  carrying  his  point,  so  he  was  ever  able 

9* 


58 

to  detect  and  expose  it  in  others.  The  law  of 
uprightness  ruled  him  both  in  public  and  pri- 
vate dealing  with  his  fellow-men.  I  have  often 
heard  from  his  lips  the  confidential  story  of  his 
annoyances,  and  yet  I  never  heard  from  him  a 
purpose,  or  even  suggestion,  at  war  with  the 
highest  standard  of  truth  and  honor.  He  held 
the  confidence  of  his  brethren  and  the  world,  in 
full  proportion  to  the  intimacy  which  opened 
to  their  view  the  secret  springs  of  his  action. 
If  even  a  foiled  antagonist  would  attempt  to 
cover  his  own  confusion  with  the  insinuation 
of  artifice,  where  others  saw  only  the  sagacity 
of  a  man  as  truthful  as  he  was  wise,  no  words 
of  defence  were  needed  to  beat  back  the  base 
insinuation.  His  continued  defence  was  in  the 
estimation  of  good  and  discerning  men.  His 
friends  were  life-long  in  their  trust  and  attach- 
ments. Both  in  secular  and  religious  associa- 
tion, one  principle  animated  him  whose  sure 
crown  was  the  unqualified  reliance  of  his  fellow- 
men  upon  his  integrity.  He  did  truth,  and 
thereby  ever  came  to  the  light. 

In  social  sympathy^  Dr.  Elliott's  character 
deepened  with  advancing  years.  His  home  was 
always  a  centre  of  hospitality,  even  to  serious 
encroachment  upon  his  substance.  So  also 
poverty  and  sickness,  trial  and  misery  were 
sure  of  the  offerings,  at  once,  of  his  heart  and 


59 

hands.  His  thoughtful  attentions  to  persons 
in  humble  life,  his  visits  of  tender  affection  to 
the  abodes  of  distress,  his  letters  of  Christian 
comfort  to  the  bereaved — enough  to  fill  volumes 
if  published — his  constant  fidelity  in  turning 
social  opportunity  to  the  end  of  the  soul's  sal- 
vation,— all  these  habits  of  his  active  life  grew 
upon  him  more  and  more  as  conscious  infirmi- 
ties foretokened  "  the  night,  when  no  man  can 
work."  The  young  never  learned  to  shun  his 
presence  for  any  fretfulness  of  age,  but  rather 
gathered  about  him,  attracted  by  the  loving 
playfulness  which  demonstrated  his  share  in 
their  joy.  Little  children  even,  without  herit- 
age in  his  blood,  would  covet  a  seat  upon  his 
knees,  that  they  might  throw  their  arms  about 
his  neck  and  call  him  "  Orandpa  Elliott ! " 
whilst  his  own  children  and  grandchildren  were 
only  returning  his  parental  fondness  when  they 
cluns:  to  him  with  a  devotion  almost  idolatrous. 
Even  employees  and  servants  carried  away 
with  them  from  his  house,  not  only  a  vivid  re- 
membrance of  his  kindness,  but  also  the  grate- 
ful thought  of  his  solicitude  for  their  best  good. 
All  these  classes  loved  him  as  a  friend,  and 
ver}^  many  such  hastened  with  trembling  steps 
to  take  their  last  look  upon  his  coffined  face, 
and  then  turned  away  in  tears,  as  in  the  parting 
with    a   father.      Junior   Professors,  Directors, 


GO 

Trustees,  Alumni,  and  Students  of  the  Semi- 
nary, like  a  family  of  bereaved  cliildren, — loving 
brethren  in  the  ministry  of  his  own  and  other 
branches  of  the  Church, — Christian  men  and 
women  who  had  profited  by  his  public  and 
private  counsels,  and  risen  heavenward  in  spirit 
upon  the  breath  of  his  prayers, — even  men  of 
the  world,  before  whom  his  goodness  was  a  liv- 
ing demonstration  of  the  truth  of  religion, — not 
excepting  also  the  young,  who  had  learned  to 
pronounce  his  name  only  with  affectionate  re- 
verence ; — all  these  Joined  his  stricken  family  in 
tears  of  grief  and  in  tender  remembrance  before 
God  at  his  burial, — the  outgushing  of  hearts 
stricken  with  the  sovereign  hand  in  his  re- 
moval. 

But,  better  than  all  besides,  was  Dr.  Elliott's 
faith  in  Christ  and  consecration  to  the  service  of 
God.  We  have  traced  him  in  his  early  spiritual 
change  and  in  the  long  course  of  holy  living 
and  self-denying  work,  whereby  he  "adorned 
the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour."  What  but 
the  constraining  love  of  Jesus,  the  living  foun- 
tain of  grace  in  his  heart,  could  have  produced 
sucb  results  ?  To  know  him  at  all,  w^as  to 
perceive  that  in  all  things  he  was  habitually 
and  cheerfully  controlled  by  the  Divine  will 
as  his  supreme  law.  Though  always  a  witness 
for  the  truth,  in  word  and  deed,  his  religious 


61 

affections  were  deep  and  operative.  Even  his 
severe  self-control  did  not  repress  spiritual 
emotions,  which  often  gave  touching  power  to 
his  counsels  and  devotional  utterances.  He 
was  familiar  with  all  the  phases  of  Christian 
experience.  Of  the  hundreds  who  came  to 
him  with  their  conflicts,  none  departed  without 
having  been  pointed  to  the  fullness  of  Christ, 
as  the  one  only  relief,  and  that,  too,  with  a  fresh- 
ness which  showed  the  source  of  his  own  sup- 
plies. In  short,  his  life  was  so  imbued  with 
the  evangelical  spirit,  that  he  carried  it  into 
every  personal,  domestic,  and  public  relation. 
Need  I  say,  that  he  was  eminently  a  man  of 
'prayer  f  All  his  plans,  purposes,  enterprises, 
anxieties  and  sorrows  were  laid  before  God  in 
humble  faith.  Every  object  or  person  having 
a  place  in  his  love,  was  sure  of  earnest  presen- 
tation in  his  wrestlings  at  the  mercy-seat.  Not 
until  the  books  of  the  Throne  shall  be  opened 
will  we  be  able  to  estimate  the  power  of  his 
intercessions.  Nor  yet  can  we  doubt,  that 
though  his  stiffened  lips  shall  no  more  move 
in  supplication,  there  are  petitions  of  his  on 
record  before  the  All-seeing  eye,  which  still 
shall  come  to  fulfillment  in  the  success  of  his 
Master's  cause,  and  in  the  salvation  of  dear 
friends. 

''  But  how  was  it  with  the  venerable  Doctor, 


G2 

as  he  went  down  to  ^  the  valley  and  shadow  of 
death?'"  is  the  tender  question,  which  still 
falls  from  the  lips  of  some  who  knew  and  loved 
him  well.  There  are  those  wdio  could  arise  in 
this  audience  and  give  the  answer,  telling  how 
"  the  meekness  and  gentleness  of  Christ  ^'  came 
to  fulfillment  in  his  temper — how  humility  and 
hope  were  blended  in  his  words — how  even  the 
few  and  transient  ravings  of  disease  found  ex- 
pression, without  one  utterance  to  be  regretted, 
only  in  the  language  of  Christian  fellowshij), 
solicitude  for  the  Church,  and  prayer  for  him- 
self, his  family,  the  seminary,  and  every  interest 
of  the  kino^dom  of  heaven — and  how,  in  smilino* 
confidence,  he  waited  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord. 
But  we  shall  learn  it  still  better  in  a  few  ex- 
tracts from  his  letters  written  to  confidential 
friends.  "  Through  the  abounding  merqy  of 
God,"  he  wrote  to  me,  February  8,  1866,  "  I 
have  entered  upon  my  eiglitieth  year  since  last 
Tuesday,  which  was  my  birthday.  I  have  out- 
lived nearly  all  my  old  friends.  In  looking 
back  over  my  long  life,  I  see  much  to  deplore, 
and  for  which  to  be  humbled  before  God.  But 
in  Christ  I  have  one  sure  and  enduring  ground 
of  liope.  He  is  all  my  salvation  and  all  my  de- 
sire. Although  not  w^ithout  fears  arising  from 
iiuhvelling  corruption,  yet,  as  I  draw  near  to  the 
end  of  my  earthly  pilgrimage,  I  think  I  enjoy 


63 

more  of  the  presence  of  Christ  with  me,  and 
find  nearer  and  more  comfortalde  communion 
with  him  in  prayer  and  other  religious  duties. 
Still,  I  need  more  of  the  purifying  grace  of 
the  spirit  of  God  to  fit  me  for  Heaven.  My 
desire  is  to  be  holy  as  my  Redeemer  is  holy. 
And  thus  I  wait  till  my  a]3pointed  time  shall 
come,  entertaining  the  trembling  hope  that  God 
will  not  forsake  me  in  my  old  age,  but  bring 
me  to  his  heavenly  kingdom." 

Writing  in  a  similar  strain,  two  years  later, 
he  says,  "The  past  winter  has  been  pe- 
culiarly fatal  to  aged  persons.  Although 
I  think  of  death  with  calmness,  and  with- 
out slavish  fear,  I  have  felt  more  deeply 
impressed  than  ever  before,  that  there  is  '  but 
a  step  between  me  and  death.' "  "  In  Christ, 
I  indulge  the  ho]3e  that  I  shall  find  some 
humble  place  in  one  of  those  ^  many  man- 
sions'  w^hich  are  in  his  Father's  house.  I  feel 
that  I  have  fallen  far  short  of  living  up  to  the 
requirements  of  my  various  responsible  posi- 
tions in  life.  I  can  plead  no  righteousness  of 
my  own ;  all  has  been  marred  by  sin.  Upon 
the  perfect  righteousness  of  Christ,  and  that 
alone,  I  rely."  In  another  letter,  dated  August 
24,  1871,  after  accepting  my  invitation  to 
make  me  a  visit,  he  says  :  "  You  understand,  I 
presume,  that  I  have  to  refrain  from  preaching. 


64 

This  is  one  of  my  greatest  trials ;  for  I  love  to 
preach,  and  it  would  be  a  luxury  to  hold  forth 
the  Word  of  Life  once  more  to  the  people  of 
my  former  pastoral  charge.  But  God  lias 
ordered  it  otherwise,  and  I  know  that  all  he 
orders  is  right."  To  a  son-in-law  in  the  minis- 
try, he  writes,  July  19,  1871:  "I  hope  you  will 
realize  your  highest  expectations,  in  reference 
to  your  new  field  of  labor.  For  this,  continued 
exercises  of  faith  in  God's  converting  grace, 
will  be  required.  Keep  Christ  in  the  fore- 
ground. While  every  part  of  divine  truth 
must  be  preached  in  its  proper  place  and  time^ 
Christ  and  his  Cross  must  be  rendered  promi- 
nent. This  is  the  great  central  point,  to  which 
all  others  must  be  made  to  converge."  To  a 
beloved  daughter,  emerging  from  sickness,  he 
WTote,  July  29,  1873.  After  several  lessons 
drawn  from  the  Word  of  God  for  her  consola- 
tion, he  refers  her  to  "the  tender  sympathy 
and  afi*ectionate  love  of  Christ  for  his  children," 
especially  as  illustrated  in  the  farewell  address 
and  intercessory  prayer,  as  found  in  John.  (Chap, 
xi  V. — xvii.)  "  The  nearer  I  approach  the  end  of 
my  earthly  course,"  he  adds,  "the  oftener  I 
read,  and  the  higher  estimate  I  place  upon  this 
portion  of  God's  word.  I  w^ould  recommend  it 
to  your  particular  attention."  Out  of  many 
other   specimens,    I   have   space   only  for   one 


65 

more.  The  letter  which  contains  it  was  written 
February  5,  1874,  only  a  few  weeks  before  his 
death,  to  a  dear  Christian  friend,  near  his  own 
age,  and  was  the  very  last  production  of  his 
pen.  "You  perhaps  have  not  forgotten,"  he 
writes,  "that  to-morrow  will  be  my  birth -day. 
This,  therefore,  is  the  last  day  of  my  eighty- 
seventh  year.  How  my  present  state  of  health 
may  terminate,  I  cannot,  of  course,  predict. 
Although  I  am  somewhat  stronger  than  I  was 
some  weeks  ago,  I  hardly  venture  to  hope  for 
any  great  increase  of  vigor.  As  to  this,  I  feel 
willing  to  leave  it,  with  all  my  other  and 
higher  interests,  in  the  hands  of  my  covenant- 
keeping  God.  Death  is  a  very  solemn  event ; 
but  it  has  long  been  familiar  to  my  thoughts, 
and  I  hope  that  through  the  abounding  mercy 
and  grace  of  God,  1  shall  be  sustained  in  that 
solemn  hour." 

Blessed  be  God !  he  was  "  sustained."  His 
intellect,  except  in  a  few  transient  intervals, 
was  clear  to  the  end.  His  last  literary  pro- 
duction, in  the  form  of  a  letter  of  a  dozen  pages 
in  pamphlet,  substituted  for  an  address,  which 
the  weather  and  his  infirmities  hindered  him 
from  delivering  at  the  celebration  of  my  quar- 
ter-century pastorate,  less  than  three  months 
before  his  death,  was  above  criticism,  even  in 
its  punctuation,  as  it  came  from  his  pen,  show- 


G6 

ing  no  marks  of  failure,  save  only  in  liis  tremu- 
lous Land.  His  minute  and  ex2:)licit  directions 
at  the  last,  also,  concerning  Lis  business,  Lis 
papers,  and  tLe  very  details  of  Lis  funeral, 
v^ere  given  witL  a  clearness  equaled  only  by 
Lis  undisturbed  serenity.  His  faitL  was  calmly 
triumpLant.  TLe  feeble  utterances  of  Lis  depart- 
ing breatL  betokened  intermingled  communion 
witL  eartL  and  Leaven,  tLe  peace  of  Loly  transi- 
tion from  tLe  tender  embrace  of  tLe  beloved  Lere, 
into  tLe  redeemed  comj)any  in  tLe  presence  of 
God  and  tLe  Lamb.  On  tLe  eigLteentli  day  of 
MarcL,  1874,  Le  gently  fell  asleep  in  Jesus — 
as  gently  as  an  infant  uj^on  its  motLer's  breast. 
TLe  sun  of  Lis  life  set  in  a  cloudless  sky,  giv- 
ing, in  its  lengtLened  rays,  a  sv^eet  token  to  all 
wLo  beLeld  Lim  of  tlie  glorious  day  witLout 
clouds  or  tears,  upon  wLicL  Lis  immortal  eyes 
were  tlien  oj)ening.  We  could  not  weep,  but 
only  praise  God,  as  we  bore  Lis  precious  body 
to  tLe  beautiful  city  of  tLe  dead,  and  reverently 
laid  it  down  to  rest  by  tLe  side  of  Lis  sainted 
wife,  glad  tLat  even  tLen  tLeir  spirits  were 
Loly  and  Lappy  togetLer  in  tLe  vision  and  fel- 
lowsLip  of  tLe  glorious  Redeemer. 

' '  There  no  sigh  of  memory  swelleth ; 
There  no  tear  of  misery  welleth; 

Hearts  will  bleed  or  break  no  more : 
Past  is  all  the  cold  world's  scorning, 
Gone  the  night  and  broke  the  morning 
Ov^er  all  the  golden  shores." 


67 

He  has  gone  also  to  sing  of  victory  with 
Elisha  McCurdy  and  the  other  noble  pioneers  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Western  Pennsylva- 
nia, whose  labors  he  rescued  from  oblivion  in 
sweet  biographical  sketches,  which  generations 
to  come  will  read  with  interest,  as  well  as  with 
other  felloAV-laborers,  who  have  followed  them 
from  the  church  militant  to  the  glorious  rest. 

Only  a  few  of  his  associates  and  fellow-help- 
ers in  the  work  of  Christ  along  the  path  of 
these  toils,  anxieties  and  trusts,  like  the  ven- 
erable President  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  our 
Seminary,  linger  behind  him,  to  repeat  in  their 
turn  the  like  witness  of  the  Master's  grace,  when 
"natural  force"  shall  more  and  more  be  abated, 
and  the  visions  of  this  world  of  sense  grow  more 
dim.  But  here  is  a  bright  example  to  confirm 
their  expectation  and  ours,  that,  ere  long,  the 
door  of  the  celestial  home  shall  open  gently  to 
their  spiritual  sight,  and  the  y/ell-known  voice 
of  Jesus  shall  fall  upon  their  ears,  saying, 
"  Comej  ye  blessed  of  my  Father  !  " 

To  us  all  who  have  been  led  in  the  paths  of 
truth  and  righteousness  by  this  man  of  God 
w^ho  has  gone  up  from  our  midst,  the  lessons  of 
his  life  remain,  a  legacy  of  love  and  inspiration, 
as  we  follow  on,  never  doubting,  that  "through 
faith  and  patience  "he  now  "  inherits  the  prom- 
ises."        Only,    brethren,    a     little    more     of 


G8 

work  and  watching,  of  duty  and  cross-bear- 
ing, of  fidelity  to  Christ,  and  of  the  partaking 
of  his  sufferings  here,  and  then,  ''  when  his 
glory  shall  be  revealed,  we  shall  he  glad  aim 
with  exceeding  Joy." 


69 

FUNERAL  SERVICES, 

March  2lst,  1874, 

After  a  tender  and  impressive  prayer  by  the 
venerable  Dr.  Luther  Halsey,  at  the  house  of 
Mrs.  Dale,  where  Dr.  Elliott  had  his  home,  the 
body  was  borne  to  the  North  Presbyterian 
Church,  Allegheny  City,  by  the  Rev.  Drs. 
Alexander  Donaldson,  George  Hill,  E.  E. 
Swift,  and  J.  L  Brownson,  who  had  been 
chosen  by  the  deceased  for  this  service.  To- 
gether with  the  singing  of  appropriate  hymns, 
Professor  William  H,  Hornblower,  D.  D.,  read 
selected  portions  of  Scripture,  after  which  Pro- 
fessor A.  A.  Hodge,  D.  D.,  led  the  Assembly  in 
the  following 

PRAYER. 

Our  Great  Father,  who  art  in  Heaven,  God 
of  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob,  the  God  and 
Father  of  our  Lord  Jesas  Christ,  our  fathers' 
God,  we  come  before  Thee  this  day  a  weeping 
company  of  bereaved  children,  to  lay  the  body 
of  our  earthly  father  in  the  grave.  His  child- 
ren and  his  children's  children  of  his  blood 
and  name ;  his  spiritual  children  and  pupils ; 
his  colleagues  and  successors  in  the  faculty  of 
this  seminary,  and  in  the  ministr}^  of  the  Gos- 


70 

pel;  merabers  of  the  churches  to  whom  he 
ministered,  and  with  whom  the  last  years  of  his 
patriarchal  life  were  passed  ;  we  come  a  band 
of  orphans  bearing  our  father  to  the  tomb. 

We  bless  Thee  for  Thy  signal  grace  vouch- 
safed to  him  through  all  these  years;  for  the 
abundant  natural  talents  entrusted  to  him 
at  his  birth,  for  the  beauty  of  his  moral  char- 
acter, adorned  with  all  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit 
of  his  Lord ;  for  the  fullness  and  power  of 
his  life,  the  abundance  of  his  labors,  and 
the  eminent  services  he  was  enabled  to 
render  to  Thy  Church.  We  thank  Thee  for 
the  great  success  with  which  Thou  didst 
graciously  reward  his  ministry,  for  the  great 
length  of  his  life,  and  the  heavenly  sweet- 
ness of  its  long  eventide.  We  bless  Thee  that 
Thou  didst  crown  such  a  life  with  such  a  death  ; 
that  Thou  didst  so  gently  loosen  the  cords  of 
his  tabernacle,  and  by  such  gradual  and  painless 
stages  let  him  down  to  his  final  sleep. 

And  now,  that  Thou  hast  removed  our 
father  to  th^at  heavenly  homestead  in  which  so 
many  he  loved  Avere  gathered  before  him,  we 
pray  that  Thy  blessing  may  rest  upon  us,  who, 
for  a  time,  linger  behind  him.  May  we  also 
learn  the  secret  of  his  favor  Avith  God  and 
man,  and  the  lessons  which  his  life  were  designed 
to  teach  us.      Raise  up   successors  worthy  to 


71 

take  his  place  in  Tliy  earthly  kingdom.  To 
the  remotest  generation  may  the  sacred  inherit- 
ance of  his  example  and  influence  descend  to 
our  children  and  to  their  children.  Lord,  ever- 
more keep  his  memory  green. 

This  we  ask  to  the  honor  of  Thy  grace,  and 
through  the  merits  of  Thy  son  our  Lord. 
Amen. 

Addresses  were  then  delivered  by  the  Rev. 
Drs.  Jacobus  and  Wilson,  as  follows  : 

ADDRESS    OF    THE    REV.    M.    W.    JACOBUS,  D.D.,  LL.D. 

My  Brethrei^ — A  Prince  of  the  Royal  blood 
— a  Pillar  in  the  Temple  of  God — a  Patriarch 
in  our  Israel — has  fallen  !  Not  prematurely, 
but  most  maturely.  Not  suddenly,  but 
slowly,  as  when  a  mother  lays  her  infant 
gently  down  from  her  breast  upon  its  own 
bed  and  pillow.  "  Behold  how  he  loved 
him  1 "  Jesus  is  here — yet  not  to  weep  at  his 
grave,  but  to  triumph  ;  holding  in  his  hands 
the  keys  of  Death  and  Hades,  and  pointing,  in 
this  opening  spring-tide,  to  the  Resurrection. 

A  good  man's  life  has  commonly  the  briefest 
record,  because  it  is  the  expression  of  a  few 
simple  j)rinciples  of  action.  The  God-man ! 
What  a  record  was  His — given  him  by  the  early 
Church    in   two  words  originally — ''  He  went 


72 

about  doing  good."  And  Enoch,  the  seventh 
from  Adam ;  what  a  record  of  a  long  patri- 
archal life, in  three  words  originally — "  He  walk- 
ed with  God,"  where  the  personal  intimacy, 
walking  together  as  if  arm  in  arm,  overstepped 
the  formalities  of  death.  And  so  it  is  written  : 
"Noah  was  a  just  man  and  perfect  in  his  gene- 
rations." And  "David,  when  he  had  served 
his  own  generation  by  the  will  of  God,  fell  on 
sleep."  And  Elijah,  the  prophet  of  Israel,  was 
pronounced  to  be  "  the  chariot  of  Israel  and  the 
horsemen  thereof;"  the  vehicle  of  the  Divine 
power  and  grace,  well  equipped,  as  the  repre- 
sentative and  embodiment  of  Israel's  forces  on 
the  field.  Our  Elijah  has  gone :  "  My  father  ! 
my  father  !  the  chariot  of  Israel  and  the  horse- 
men thereof." 

What  a  life  is  this  that  has  just  now  closed ! 
Not  threescore  and  ten,  nor  fourscore,  but 
nearly  fourscore  and  ten,  without  the  labor  and 
sorrow  incident  to  such  advanced  years ;  not  an 
hour  outliving  his  usefulness. 

Sixty -iJiree  years  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ. 
More  than  a  full  average  life-time  spent  in  the 
preaching  and  teaching  of  the  Gosj^el,  with  all 
his  excellent  qualities  of  mind  and  heart  freely 
given  to  the  blessed  service.  If  I  should  ven- 
ture on  an  analysis  of  his  character,  I  should 
say  it  was  compounded  of  strong  sense,  eminent 


73 

wisdom,  steadfast  priucij^le,  steady  purpose, 
and  unwavering  faitli  in  God.  Here  is  true 
greatness. 

Forty-iive  years  were  spent  in  this  Western 
Church,  preaching  and  laying  foundations  in 
educational  work;  setting  his  hand  to  our 
oldest  College  and  our  oldest  Theological  Semi- 
nary at  great  crises  in  their  history,  when  their 
existence  seemed  to  hang,  under  God,  upon  his 
wisdom  and  power  of  will.  He  came  to  the 
kingdom  for  such  a  time  as  this.  And  he  has 
lived  to  see  both  these  institutions  in  the  full 
tide  of  prosperity. 

But  his  great  Ufe-worh  was  his  headship  of 
this  Theological  Seminary  during  thirty-eight 
years.  He  came  in  his  full  prime — fifty  years 
old — ripe  in  experience  and  rich  in  solid  re- 
sources for  his  generation.  He  found  here  only 
this  venerable  father  who  survives  him  (Dr. 
Luther  Halsey),  and  who  had  taught  the  first 
regular  class,  and  acted  as  the  sole  Faculty  (a 
whole  Faculty  in  himself)  during  seven  years,  and 
who,  after  a  year  of  joint  labors,  gave  up  the  charge 
to  his  hands.  What  labors !  what  struggles !  what 
conflicts  !  what  prayers  and  tears  he  gave  early 
and  late  to  this  service !  What  a  work  to  look 
back  upon  !  Nearly  a  thousand  men  have  gone 
forth  from  under  his  hand,  a  large  majority  of 

whom  are  to-day  laboring  as  ministers  of  Christ 
4 


H 


4 


throughout  this  laud  aud  iu  various  foreigu  fields. 
Nearly  a  quarter  of  a  ceutury  ago  I  came  to 
his  side,  when  his  only  associate  Professor  was 
commonly  understood  to  be  in  transitu^  and 
everything  struggling  up  the  hill.  I  have  seen 
him  in  times  of  great  darkness.  But  always  his 
resource  was  in  God.  What  dignity  !  what 
gravity !  what  simplicity  !  what  suavity  and 
urbanity!  what  fidelity  in  the  most  trying 
hours  ! 

As  an  instructor  in  Theology,  in  Church 
Polity,  or  in  the  Pastoral  care,  the  Church  knew 
him  to  be  wise  and  true,  and  all  his  pupils  re- 
vered and  loved  him.  As  an  ecclesiastic,  he 
shone  in  the  Church  courts,  and  lifted  his  voice 
most  effectively  in  the  administration  and  guid- 
ance of  her  affairs. 

And  what  a  death  !  We  see  scientists  and 
statesmen  die;  but  science  does  not  solve  the 
problems  of  the  soul,  and  statesmen  may  say 
nothing  of  the  enfranchisement  of  our  race  by 
Jesus  Christ.  Let  them  stand  by  and  see  a 
great  man  die.  Here  is  true  greatness,  that  is 
equal  to  the  last  exigency.  He  had  traversed 
the  whole  circuit  of  the  promises  and  had 
proved  them  all.  And  death  was  no  stranger 
to  him.  For  several  months  past  the  dark 
valley  was  to  him  a  shady  retreat,  where  he 
rested  away  from  the  summer's  sun  and  looked 


75 

out  upon  the  river  lie  was  soon  to  cross.  The  day 
before  his  departure  he  said  to  me :  ''  It  is  a  sol- 
emn thing  to  die  ;  but  my  trust  is  in  Jesus."  He 
sent  messages  of  affection  and  confidence  to  the 
Professors,  and  referring  to  a  boy  in  College 
whom  he  loved,  he  said :  "  Tell  him  to  be  stead- 
fast— to  be  faithful.  Tell  him  to  live  to  preach 
the  Gospel.  The  harvest  truly  is  plenteous,  but 
the  laborers  are  few."  A  plea  for  the  Christian 
ministry  in  his  very  dying  breath !  This  was  a 
death  that  might  extort  even  from  a  heathen 
magian,  like  Balaam,  the  prayer :  "  Let  me  die 
the  death  of  the  righteous,  and  let  my  last  end 
be  like  his," 

This  bereaved  family  is  a  titled  house.  In 
the  heraldry  of  the  Church  they  have  a  crest 
which  will  be  recognized  as  long  as  they  or 
their  posterity  survive. 

"  My  father !  my  father !  the  chariot  of  Israel 
and  the  horsemen  thereof!" 


BY  REV.  S.  J.  WILSON,  D.D. 

We  gather  to  day  around  the  coffin  of  a  be- 
loved and  revered  father.  His  numerous  pupils 
— his  theological  sons — all  feel  that  in  his  death 
they  have  suffered  a  personal  bereavement. 
Through  nearly  forty  years  of  service  in  the 


76 

Theological  Seminary,  such  was  his  faithful- 
ness, such  his  walk  and  holy  living,  such  the 
sweetness  of  his  temper,  such  his  Christian  ur- 
banity, that  all  those  who  have  gone  forth  from 
the  institution  during  that  time  entertained  for 
him  the  truest,  deepest,  warmest  feelings  of 
filial  love  and  veneration.  The  world  knows 
him  as  a  theologian,  an  author,  an  organizer, 
an  accomplished  debater,  a  true  and  fearless 
champion  of  that  which  he  believed  to  be  right, 
an  ecclesiastical  leader,  a  model  presiding 
officer  of  the  General  Assembly ;  but  we,  who 
sat  at  his  feet,  who  labored  with  him,  who  saw 
him  from  day  to  day,  who  were  brought  into 
constant  personal  contact  with  him  in  intimate 
and  confidential  intercourse — we  who  lived  in 
the  atmosphere  of  his  faith,  his  2:)rayers,  and  his 
genial  cheerfulness  and  hopefulness — we  forget 
his  fame  in  the  love  which  we  bore  the  man. 

The  fact  of  his  great  age  does  not  mitigate 
our  grief,  but  rather,  if  2:>ossible,  intensifies  it. 
His  feelings  continued  so  fresh  and  youthful 
that  he  did  not  seem  to  grow  old.  In  his 
eighty-eighth  year  the  dew  of  youth  was  still 
on  his  heart.  There  was  no  rust  or  mould  on 
his  affections.  Such  men  nt3ver  grow  old. 
And  then  he  had  been  with  us  so  long;  the 
habit  of  his  presence  had  grown  so  strong  upon 
us ;  he   seemed  to  be  so  much  of  a  necessity, 


77 

that  it  appeared  as  thougli  the  Lord  would  not 
take  him.  But  now  that  he  is  gone — really 
gone — how  great  the  void !  What  loneliness 
oppresses  the  heart !  Uj^on  whose  counsels 
can  we  lean  as  we  leaned  upon  his  ?  Whose 
wisdom  can  we  trust  as  we  trusted  his  ?  In 
whom  is  so  embodied  all  that  is  signified  and 
suggested  by  the  Y^ovdi  father  ? 

So  long  as  yonder  Seminary  stands,  he  will 
not  be  without  a  monument.  It  owes  its  exist- 
ence to  him.  Let  this  be  said  over  his  coffin. 
Had  it  not  been  for  his  indomitable  energy  and 
tenacity  of  purpose,  it  would  not  have  survived 
its  trials.  He  lived  in  it  and  for  it.  The  ardor 
of  his  loyalty  to  its  interest  knew  no  shadow 
of  change.  My  belief — founded  on  facts  and 
personal  observation — is  that  no  day  of  his  life 
passed  without  sj)ecial  prayer  for  the  Seminary, 
its  professors,  and  its  students,  past,  present,  and 
prospective.  With  the  utmost  solicitude,  affec- 
tion, and  interest,  he  followed  the  members  of 
the  successive  classes  as  they  passed  out  from 
the  institution  and  went  forth  into  the  great 
harvest-field  of  the  world;  and  when  the  news 
of  his  death  shall  reach  far-off  mission-stations, 
the  sorrow  of  a  real  bereavement  will  rest  upon 
the  hearts  of  many  of  the  devoted  pioneers  of 
the  gospel.  He  loved  Ms  students.  He  was 
zealous  of   their  fame  and  their   good   name. 


78 

His  pride  and  happiness  Avere  in  their  useful- 
ness and  true  honor.  His  eye  would  kindle 
and  his  face  become  radiant  when  he  spake  of 
anything  that  was  praiseworthy  in;  the  career 
of  any  of  them. 

Some  have  spoken  of  him  as  being  laid  aside 
in  these  latter  years — of  his  work  being  done 
and  his  usefulness  as  past  Say  not  so.  In  the 
iinal  account — in  the  great  summing  up  and 
settling  up,  it  may  be  found  that  these  are  the 
very  years  which  will  yield  the  largest  revenue 
of  results  and  glory.  As  he  went  from  room 
to  room,  conversing  searchingly  and  faithfully 
on  experimental  religion,  and  praying  with  each 
student  alone,  he  was  probably  putting  forth  a 
greater  power  for  good  than  he  put  forth  in  the 
most  vigorous  days  of  his  preaching  and  teach- 
ing. He  has,  I  presume,  thus  prayed  in  every 
room  in  those  buildings.  What  a  consecration  ! 
While  living,  he  loved  to  tell  how,  when  the 
building  on  the  hill  was  in  process  of  erec- 
tion, old  father  Patterson,  with  tottering  steps, 
climbed  to  the  summit,  and,  entering  the  un- 
finished rooms  one  by  one,  knelt  and  offered 
this  prayer — "God  bless. the  lads."  He  himself 
has  left  us  an  equally  rich  inheritance  of  prayer. 
It  seemed  to  us  as  though  no  great  calamity 
could  befall  the  Seminary  while  it  was  protected 
by  the  bulwarks  of  bis  faith  and  intercession. 


79 

The  beauty  of  his  life  and  character  consisted 
in  the  perfect  and  exquisite  symmetry  of  them. 
His  character  was  like  a  Doric  temple.  There 
was  nothing  incongruous  in  it.  The  full  effect 
of  his  life  is  only  felt  when  it  is  studied  as  a 
whole.  Take  it  all  in  all,  and  where  will  you 
find  a  more  beautiful  or  a  more  truly  noble  life  ? 
As  a  Pastor,  as  a  Preaclier,  as  President  of  a 
College,  as  an  ecclesiastical  Counsellor  and 
leader,  as  Professor  in  a  Theological  Seminary, 
he  attained  eminent  success.  In  all  these  high 
vocations  he  was  greatly  honored,  and  was 
widely  useful.  As  a  citizen,  neighbor,  friend, 
liusband,  and  father,  who  has  left  a  record  more 
unsullied  and  honorable  ? 

But  I  hear  a  voice  from  that  coffin  rebuking 
me.  He  would  not  permit  me  to  say  these 
things.  I  hear  kim  say :  ''''By  the  grace  of  God 
I  am  what  I  amy  And  so  over  his  coffin  we 
would  magnify  tbe  grace  of  the  Saviour  whom 
he  preached,  and  whose  G  ospel  he  recommended 
so  illustriously  by  bis  life  and  example.  That 
life  and  example  no  one  can  or  dare  gainsay. 
For  these  v/e  most  devoutly  thank  God.  We 
bless  God  that  he  was  spared  to  us  so  long,  and 
that  his  faculties  were  unimpaired,  and  that  he 
was  so  truly  himself  to  the  very  last.  He  has 
fought  a  good  fight ;  lie  has  finished  his  course ; 
he    has   ke]3t   the  faith ;    he   has   received    his 


80 

crown  ;  he  has  entered  into  his  rest.  May  we 
sacredly  cherish  his  name,  and  humbly  and 
lovingly  copy  his  example.  It  was  said  that 
the  cloak  of  old  Doctor  Miller  hausrins:  in  the 
hall  was  a  power  in  Princeton  Seminary.  May 
the  shadow  of  the  presence  and  the  memory  of 
our  revered  father  long  continue  to  be  a  power 
for  good  in  the  halls  of  our  School  of  the 
Prophets. 

Brief  addresses  followed  from  the  Kev.  Luther 
Halsey,  D.  D.,  and  also  the  Rev.  Dr.  Page,  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  the  latter  of  whom 
pronounced  the  benediction,  after  which  the  pro- 
cession moved  to  the  Allegheny  Cemetery. 


81 


ACTION  OF  THE  PROFESSORS  AND  STUDENTS 

OF   THE 

WESTERN  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY. 


REV.    DAA^D    ELLIOTT,    D.B.,    LL.D. 

The  following  action  lias  been  taken  by  the 
Professors  and  Students  of  tlie  Western  The- 
ological Seminary,  concerning  the  honored  and 
beloved  Rev.  Dr.  Elliott,  so  long  at  the  head 
of  this  institution  : 

Whei'eas,  It  has  pleased  God  to  take  from  us  the  venerated 
and  beloved  head  of  this  Seminary,  the  Emeritus  Professor, 
David  Elliott,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  who  for  nearly  forty  years  has  been 
the  President  of  its  Faculty,  the  preceptor  of  its  students,  and 
the  pillar  of  the  institution ;  therefore,  resolved  by  the  Faculty 
and  students  assembled: 

1.  That  we  put  on  record  our  profound  appreciation  of  his 
rare  peisonal  worth  as  a  man  after  God's  own  heart,  and  of  his 
massive  and  superior  qualities,  as  a  wise  counselor,  a  deep 
thinker,  an  able  and  faithful  teacher  and  preacher,  and  a  beloved 
exemplar,  whose  praise  is  in  all  the  churches,  and  whose  memory 
will  be  fondly  cherished  always  by  all  who  have  been  under  his 
care.  We  bear  our  united  witness,  also,  to  his  self-denying 
labors  for  this  institution,  which  early  tind  late  he  served,  and 
which  is  so  largely  indebted  to  him  for  its  establishment  and  its 
success. 

2.  We  gratefully  record  God's  goodness  to  the  Church,  In 
sparing  him  so  long  to  occupy  so  conspicuous  a  post  in  her 
councils,  through  gieat  crises  in  her  history,  and  to  be  the 
instructor  of  so  many  of  her  ministers  in  all  the  land  and  in 
foreign  fields ;  and  lately,  when  he  would  no  longer  occupy  the 


S2 


Professor's  chair,  in  continuing  liini  among  us  to  be  an  interces- 
sor for  us  at  the  throne  of  grace.  ''  My  father,  my  father,  the 
chariot  of  Israel  and  the  horsemen  thereof"  As  the  honored 
patriarch  of  this  Western  Church,  whose  name  is  inscribed  upon 
the  walls  of  her  oldest  College  and  her  oldest  Theological 
Seminary,  and  living  to  past  four-score  and  seven  years,  he  did 
not  outlive  his  usefulness. 

3,  We  do  also  give  hearty  thanks  to  God  for  his  kindness  to 
bis  dear  servant  in  leading  him  so  gently  down  to  the  gates  of 
death,  and  in  granting  to  him  such  a  peaceful  and  happy 
departure,  A  holy  and  beautiful  life !  A  holy,  beautiful,  and 
blessed  death  !  "  Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the  up- 
right, for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace."  And  we  do  earnestly 
pray  that  God's  blessing,  which  he  so  constantly  invoked  upon 
us,  may  rest  upon  his  bereaved  family  and  this  bereaved  Semi- 
nary, which  he  bore  together  so  fondly  upon  his  paternal  heart 
in  life  and  death. 


ACTION  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

OP 

WASHINGTON  AND  JEFFERSON  COLLEGE. 


March  24,  1874, 

Upon  the  report  of  a  committee,  consisting  of 
the  Hon.  John  H.  Ewing  and  the  Rev.  James  I. 
Brownson,   D.D.,   the   followins:    minute    was 

7  7  O 

unanimously  adopted,  viz : 

The  Board  feel  called  to  record,  with  deep  sorrow,  the  death 
of  the  Rev.  David  Elliott,  D.D,,  LL.D.,  which  occurred  on  the 
18th  instant,  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-seven  years,  lie  was 
a  teacher  in  the  Washington  Academy,  in  connection  with  the 
late  Rev.  Dr.  Matthew  Brown,  for  a  year  immediately  antecedent 


83 


to  the  charter  of  Washington  College,  in  1806.  He  was  also  the 
chief  agent  in  the  resuscitation  of  the  College  in  1830,  after  its 
temporary  suspension,  and  acted  as  its  President  with  great  sac- 
cess,  for  a  period  of  eighteen  months.  And  upon  his  retirement 
from  the  Faculty,  in  1833,  that  he  might  devote  himself  ex- 
clusively to  his  pastoral  charge,  he  served  with  great  honor  and 
acceptance  as  President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  until  1865, 
when,  both  on  account  of  his  age,  and  in  oider  to  facilitate  the 
union  of  Washington  and  Jefferson  Colleges  under  one  charter, 
he  resigned  his  place.  In  the  course  of  his  long  and  distinguished 
life,  he  was  ever  a  patriotic  citizen,  a  devoted  Christian,  an  able 
minister  of  the  gospel,  and  a  laborious  and  influential  promoter 
of  collegiate  and  theological  learning.  The  sympathies  of  the 
Board  are  hereby  tendered  to  his  afflicted  family,  whilst  also 
this  minute  is  placed  on  record  to  express  our  share  in  the 
general  bereavement  of  his  death. 

By  authority  of  the  Board.     A  true  extract  from  the  records. 

THOMAS  McKENNAN, 

Secretary. 
Washington,  Pa.,  March  24,  1874. 


FIEST   PKESBYTERIAN   CHUECH   OF   WASHING- 
TON, PENNSYLVANIA. 


The  following  minute,  reported  by  a  commit- 
tee consisting  of  Dr.  McKennan  and  Messrs. 
McKean  and  Hoon,  was  unanimously  adopted 
by  the  officers  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Washington,  Pa.,  at  their  monthly  meeting, 
April  4th,  1874  : 

The  Rev.  David  Elliott,  D.D.,  LL.D  ,  the  honored  senior  Pro- 
fessor of  the  Western  Theological  Seminary  at  Allegheny  City, 


84 


since  1836,  and  for  seven  years  previous  tbe  no  less  honored 
pastor  of  our  church,  having,  on  the  18th  ult.,  been  called  to  his 
heavenly  rest,  in  the  eighty-eighth  year  of  his  age,  after  a  life  of 
the  most  valuable  service  to  religion,  to  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  to  the  cau^e  of  collegiate  an  1  theological  education,  we,  the 
officers  of  this  cliurch — the  Pastor,  Elders,  and  Deacons— in 
solemn  recogniiion  of  this  event,  do  hereby  unanimously 
resolve  : 

I.  That  speaking  for  ourselves  and  the  present  generation, 
and  also  reflecting  the  great  respect  and  afiiection  of  the  vener- 
able session  formerly  associated  with  this  eminent  man  of  God, 
but  now  all  with  him,  as  we  trust,  in  the  Church  on  high,  and 
of  the  fathers  and  mothers  who  sat  with  delight  and  profit  under 
his  faithful  ministry,  only  a  few  of  whom  linger  among  us,  we 
desire  to  express  our  great  sense  of  the  learning,  ability,  wisdom, 
and  piety  of  the  minister  and  professor,  so  long  spared  by  the 
Head  of  the  Church  as  a  chief  expounder  and  defender  of  her 
faith,  leader  in  her  councils,  and  teacher  of  her  rising  ministry. 

II.  That  we  heartily  unite  with  all  those  who  have  been 
joined  with  him  in  the  M'ork  of  Christ,  or  have  sat  as  learners  at 
his  feet,  in  devout  thanksgiving  that  his  faculties  were  preserved 
in  clear  exercise  to  the  last;  that  his  natural  and  spiritual  aftec- 
tions  were  only  deepened  in  the  prospect  of  death,  and  that  in 
the  serenity  of  a  cloudless  trust  he  passed  into  the  presence  of 
the  Redeemer,  whose  blood  was  his  only  sacrifice,  and  whose 
statutes  had  been  his  "  song  in  the  house  of  his  pilgrimage." 

III.  That  we  hereby  express  to  the  children  of  the  deceased 

our  sympathy  in  their  bereavement,  joined  with  our  prayer  that 

the  event,  surrounded  with  so  many  tokens  of  divine  goodness, 

may  be  followed  with  a  blessing  upon  each  of  them,  and  upon 

all  the  interests  so  long  and  well  represented  in  the  life-work  of 

their  beloved  and  now  sainted  father. 

A  true  extract  from  the  minutes. 

J.  C.  ACIIESON, 

Clerh. 


85 

ACTION  OF  THE  SESSION 

OF   THE 

PEESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  OF  MEKCERSBURG, 
PENNSYLVANIA. 


The  following  paper  was  adopted  by  the 
Session  in  regard  to  David  Elliott,  D.D.,  a 
former  pastor  of  tlie  church  : 

With  feelings  of  sorrow  we  record  the  death  of  our  venerated 
friend  and  father  in  Christ,  David  Elliott,  D.  D.,  who  departed 
this  life  in  Allegheny  City,  March  18,  1874,  in  the  eighty-eighth 
year  of  his  age  ;  and  who  had  been  the  pastor  of  this  church 
from  October  7di,  1812,  to  October  29th,  1829.  Dr.  Elliott  made 
full  proof  of  his  ministry.  He  was  faithful  and  diligent,  and 
earnest  as  a  pastor  and  preacher.  His  labors  were  greatly 
blessed  in  this  part  of  our  Lord's  vineyard.  His  life  was  without 
a  blemish.     He  was  greatly  beloved. 

While  we  thus  sorrow  for  his  departure,  we  feel  thankful  to 
the  great  Head  of  the  Church  that  he  was  spared  so  long,  lived 
a  life  of  so  great  usefulness,  and  that  for  so  long  a  period  this 
church  shared  his  labors. 

While  we  sympathize  with  his  family  and  friends,  and  the 
Western  Theological  Seminary  (of  which  he  was  an  honored 
professor),  in  this  bereavement,  our  prayer  is  :  "  Let  us  die  the 
death  of  the  righteous,  and  let  our  last  end  be  like  his." 

Memorial  services  were  held  in  the  church 
on  Lord's  day,  March  29th,  1874.  A  sermon 
was  preached  by  the  pastor,  from  2  Kings  ii.  7  : 
"  My  father,  my  father,  the  chariot  of  Israel  and 
the  horsemen  thereof,"  on  the  life,  character, 
and  labors  of  the  deceased,  and  the  church  was 
draped. 


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